Tshwane working hard to restore water supply to Soshanguve

Tshwane is aware and understands brewing anger among the residents of Soshanguve over the absence of water supply that has persisted for a prolonged period. Picture: Timothy Bernard / African News Agency (ANA)

Tshwane inhabitants are growing increasingly agitated as a result of the prolonged water supply issues being experienced in Soshanguve. The predicament has been worsened by the recent maintenance activities carried out by Rand Water on their Mapleton and Palmiet systems, leading to disruptions in water provision across various areas in Tshwane and other municipalities in Gauteng.

Citizens are voicing their worries regarding the scarcity of access to potable water and the toll it is taking on their day-to-day routines. The urgency for a prompt resolution to this matter is escalating, as residents continue to endure hardships without a dependable water supply.

The situation is causing significant distress among the community, with reports of families struggling to meet their basic water requirements and businesses facing operational challenges due to the unreliable water availability. The impact is not limited to households alone but extends to educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and public amenities that rely on consistent water supply for their operations.

As the issue persists, concerns about the potential health hazards arising from inadequate water access are also on the rise, emphasizing the critical need for immediate intervention to alleviate the plight of affected residents.

The Soshanguve reservoirs are supplied by Rand Water’s Hartebeeshoek Reservoir, which is fed from the Palmiet system.

The Palmiet system underwent comprehensive maintenance on three different dates last month – July 1, 15, 29 – with reduced pumping, culminating in the bulk and distribution systems running empty.

Though the maintenance was completed on Tuesday, but the system is still struggling to recover from that maintenance.