Parastatal says water restored to Joburg and Ekurhuleni areas, still some supply issues in Tshwane (Sept 27)
To: Honourable Minister of Water and Sanitation
Ms N. Mokonyane
REPORT ON PROGRESS MADE IN THE RESTORATION OF WATER SUPPLY IN SOME PARTS OF GAUTENG PROVINCE
1. PURPOSE
To update the Honourable Minister on the progress made in resolving water supply
problems as per the agreed recovery plan.
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2. COMMUNICATION
Communication was identified as key part of the strategy in order to keep the affected communities informed of interventions undertaken to restore the water supply. Communications with the affected communities was enhanced through the use of the following mediums.
2.1 Media
Interviews and media briefings were held with the following media houses:-
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Jacaranda FM
Radio 702
ANN7
SABC
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Media statements were circulated to other media houses with whom no interviews were held.
Rand Water hosted the SABC for a press conference which was held at Rand Water Head office on 27th September 2014.
Other mediums such as Twitter are also being used.
2.2 Door to Door Campaign
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To keep the community abreast of developments and progress on the restoration of water supply to the affected areas, a door to door campaign was undertaken.
A total of 55 people were deployed to distribute pamphlets.
A total of 10 000 pamphlets are currently being distributed to the following areas:
Soshanguve (K, L & M)
Midrand (Ward 110 and 92)
Vorna Valley
Noordwyk
South Hills
Boulders.
Ward councillors of the affected communities are fully involved. 20 000 additional pamphlets are being printed for distribution to other affected areas.
2.3 Call Centre
The Rand Water Call Centre has been taking calls relating to the water crisis. Thenumber of calls received on the 26 September was over 650. This number has reduced to below 80 today as restoration continues. This is an indication that water is being restored to many parts of the affected areas and it's possibly also a sign that other mediums of communication are also working.
3. TECHNICAL REPORT
A joint technical committee meeting was held on the 27th of September at Rand Water's Central Depot with key stakeholders to update on progress and hold other technical discussions.
Johannesburg Water
Water has been restored to the following areas:-
Linmeyer
South Hills
Risana
Oakdene
Diepsloot and
Klipfontein View
Ekurhuleni
Water has been restored in the following areas:-
Bedfordview
Germiston
Primrose
Albermale
Castle View
Dinwiddie.
Load shifting will continue and reservoir levels will be monitored closely during that period.
Tshwane
All areas are receiving water except for the following:-
Erasmia
Laudium
Reeds
Rooihuiskraal
Attridgeville
This is due to challenges with the Brakfontein reservoir
4. VISIT TO NATALSPRUIT HOSPITAL
The Board and management visited the New Natalspruit Hospital in Vosloorus and met with the Acting CE and her management team. The report we received was that there were no water supply challenges experienced by this hospital.
4.2 Planned Visits:
The Board, Executives and Management will be continuing the Stakeholder engagement on Sunday 28th September 2014. The scheduled visits will include the following areas:
Diepsloot
Kalafong Hospital in Tshwane
5. CONCLUSION
Steady progress is being made towards the restoration of water in all the affected areas. We will also ramp up the communication and stakeholder engagement.
Tshidi Hashatse
Date: 27 September 2014
Issued by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, September 29 2014
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