#BryanstonReservoir: Water woes are not over for areas in Sandton and Fourways following today’s #WaterOutage

Areas of Fourways and Sandton that suffered a water outage yesterday have not seen the last of water outages.

This is according to Ward 103 councillor, Vincent Earp, who said that an investigation into what caused the low levels at the Bryanston reservoir – which resulted in Joburg Water closing the outlet, leaving many areas in Fourways and Sandton without water yesterday, 19 September – was due to the failure of pressure reducing valves at the reservoir.

Earp therefore stated that management has decided to replace all three of the valves over the course of seven days.

“This will mean that over the next seven days, there will only be intermittent supply,” said Earp.

“Each evening at about 8pm (depending on water levels at the water reservoir), they will turn off all the valves to replenish the water supply in the tower. They will then endevour to turn the valves back on at about 4am each morning to ensure that residents have water during the day. However this will still be intermittent while they are changing valves. If you have water please use it sparingly.”

This was corroborated by Johannesburg Water on Twitter:

#UpdateBryanstonReservoir

The investigation has revealed failure of pressure reducing valves at the reservoir, a decision has been taken by management to replace all three in the next seven days @CityofJoburgZA @NicoDeJager64 — Johannesburg Water (@JHBWater) September 19, 2018

#UpdateBryanstonReservoir

The valves will be replaced individually at night with an aim to limit service interruptions, and as and when the reservoir levels drop the outlet will be closed to preserve the infrastructure @CityofJoburgZA @NicoDeJager64 — Johannesburg Water (@JHBWater) September 19, 2018

#UpdateBryanstonReservoir

Water tanks will continue to be at all listed arrears, and we appeal for patience during this process but it needs to be done. Please continue to use water sparingly until we pass this phase. @CityofJoburgZA @NicoDeJager64 — Johannesburg Water (@JHBWater) September 19, 2018

#UpdateBryanstonReservoir

Please note that the Tower is currently empty and the outlet is closed again to build capacity. This process will take a while as the valves are faulty and will be replaced individually over the next seven days. @CityofJoburgZA @NicoDeJager64 — Johannesburg Water (@JHBWater) September 19, 2018

The water was restored at around 2.30pm yesterday and the water entity said that residents who were without water should have received the full service of water supply by the evening.

#BryanstonReservoir, JW can confirm that service is being restored now and customers will have water later this afternoon. The reservoir has not yet reached capacity and the investigation still continues. — Johannesburg Water (@JHBWater) September 19, 2018

Residents were, however, urged to use water sparingly as the reservoir was ‘building capacity’.

#BryanstonReservoir

All residents are urged to use water sparingly as the reservoir is building capacity and report all leaks to the call center 011 375 5555 — Johannesburg Water (@JHBWater) September 19, 2018

Earlier, Johannesburg Water retweeted the following tweets by community members who said the water was being restored to some of the areas.

Douglasdale water been restored, pressure a little low but back on! Hallelujah! @JHBWater — Sarah Swoon (@SwoonMakeup) September 19, 2018

@jhbwater water has been restored to Paulshof and Dainfern. Keeping people informed is an important part of customer service. — dblo7 (@za_db) September 19, 2018

Johannesburg Water also revised the list of where water tanks would be placed:

#BryanstonReservoir, Please note we are experiencing challenges with our Bryanston Reservoirs. The reservoir levels are low and therefore we had to close the outlet. We are arranging water tanks to Nicolway… https://t.co/1vVVvnT9GZ — Johannesburg Water (@JHBWater) September 19, 2018

Many areas in Bryanston, Rivonia, Lonehill, Magaliessig, Douglasdale, Craigavon and Dainfern and Paulshof were affected by the water outage.

Water entity, Johannesburg Water has advised that this is due to challenges experienced at the Bryanston reservoir as the water levels are low. The water entity therefore has closed the outlet.

Ward 103 councillor, Vincent Earp, provided further clarity, stating that more water was flowing out than what was being pumped into the Bryanston reservoir.

“They had abnormally high usage yesterday [18 September] which was compounded by some big bursts in the area,” said Earp.

He added that he knew of the burst on Bantry Road in Bryanston.

“When the reservoir gets low, they have to protect the infrastructure and pumps. Result is that they closed the outlets to replenish the water supply. They also have taken the opportunity to check all the valves at the reservoir,” the councillor explained.

“Once they identify the reason for the lower water level and the reservoir is again at acceptable levels, they will re-open all of the valves.”

He hoped that this would be soon.

This outage comes as temperatures rise.

READ MORE: #JHBWeather: Keep cool as temperatures rise above 30° across Gauteng

This website is following up and will update as more information comes to light.