Water shortages in Soshanguve: Residents struggle as maintenance continues at Hartebeeshoek Reservoir
Residents of Soshanguve, Mabopane, Ga-Rankuwa, and Winterveldt are facing a severe water crisis due to ongoing scheduled maintenance at the Hartebeeshoek Reservoir by Rand Water.
The maintenance, which began on July 3, is expected to last until July 18, leaving residents struggling to access water.
Despite a temporary relief in some areas over the weekend, many residents continue to face water shortages.
The City confirmed on Saturday that water supply was being restored to areas including Soshanguve’s Block KK, Block GG, Block BB, Block DD, and parts of Ga-Rankuwa.
However, the Soshanguve L reservoir was struggling to recover, leaving residents in areas such as Block L, VV, WW, XX and UU without water supply as of Sunday.
Minister of Water and Sanitation Pemmy Majodina conducted an oversight visit to the Hartebeeshoek Reservoir on Sunday, where she was informed that the maintenance was on track to be completed by July 18.
“On Monday, our inspection team will be on site to inspect and allow water to flow, and we’ll be testing the water quality,” she said.
She said the exercise was important because people are complaining about insufficient water supply.
To have enough water, she said, reservoirs need to be functioning as expected, and municipalities must also play their part in ensuring that when bulk water is supplied, it is distributed to the reservoirs and reaches the communities.
Deputy Mayor Eugene Modise, accompanying Majodina, acknowledged that high-lying areas take time to fill up, but assured that the City is doing everything possible to resolve the issue.
“The issue is that high-lying areas take time to fill up. Historically we had problems with Block L reservoir but we are doing whatever we can to resolve the issue. But all the low-lying areas are getting water,” he said.
When asked if the City was caught off guard by the maintenance, Modise said: “We weren’t caught off guard. In fact, we appreciate Rand Water for initially scheduling the maintenance during school days. We requested they accommodate the students, and they rescheduled it after the school closure, which is what happened.”
Residents have been complaining about the shortage of roving water tankers in their areas.
Modise explained that the City initially planned to use a stadium in Soshanguve as a water distribution point, but the water source was depleted faster than expected.
To address the issue, the bulk water team identified additional hydrants in Rosslyn, Waalmansthal, and another one on the R101 route near Soshanguve.
He acknowledged that the delay and frustration were due to the time it took for trucks to travel to Rosslyn and back to distribute water.
However, he said the situation has improved, with a designed truck schedule in place and councillors nominating coordinators to collect trucks from hydrants and direct them to residents.
The water crisis is expected to worsen as Rand Water will shut down the supply on Monday to proceed with scheduled maintenance, set to wrap up by Friday.
Majodina expressed confidence that the maintenance would be completed on schedule by July 18.
She said the Hartebeeshoek Reservoir is a strategic water source for the City of Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, City of Johannesburg, Madibeng Municipality, South African Airways, and Airports Company South Africa.
Authorities urged to be patient and cooperative as the City and Rand Water work to resolve the issue.
rapula.moatshe@inl.co.za