Following over six weeks of water outages in some regions of the City of Johannesburg, residents of the recently and most affected Joburg South picketed outside the Johannesburg Water Southdale Depot yesterday in a bid to emphasise that water is their right.

Joburg residents have expresssed frustration over the water shortages they have experienced. This is as the City's infrastructure seems to be vulnerable, with the latest purification plant, Eikenhof experiencing pump failure earlier this week.

This resulted in about 200 megalitres of water being lost, which led to the reduced distribution of water for five hours.

With many water systems and resevoirs relying on Eikenhof, this has had a harmful impact on many regions. This is as it has affected water levels which has led to low water pressure.

Despite this crisis, both Rand Water Johannesburg Water have taken responsibility, leaving residents demanding answers and an indication of when all things will be properly restored.

Another water plant seemingly at risk is the Vereeniging Water Treatment Plant, of which Rand Water recently announced the impact of a power outage in the area, which affected the pipeline network earlier this week.

Meanwhile, yesterday saw the vandalism of water infrastructure which led to some parts of Yeoville without water.

Johannesburg Water spokesperson Puleng Mopeli expressed that work is being done to deal with this, adding that by yesterday in the late afternoon, "regular pumping had commenced at the Yeoville reservoir" and the system is expected to continue to improve.

Since the residents' picket, the Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Thapelo Amad, has expressed his concern regarding the continued interruptions of Water supply, adding that he too, is affected by the water shortages.

With the City investing over R400 million through Joburg Water fot the next 18 months, Amad expressed that it will be used to "build and upgrade the bulk water infrastructure, especially along the Commando system (Crosby and Brixton) which is always the hardest hit by water shortages."

He further emphasised his confidence in this investment, adding that it will go a long way in addressing the water issues in the city.

"These issues remain high on my agenda, and I will continue to work with my Mayoral Committee and City administrators to find sustainable, long-term solutions to the infrastructure problems plaguing our City."- City of Johannesburg Executive Mayor, Thapelo Amad

According to the mayor, Johannesburg Water has been instructed to provide alternative water relief measures to affected the areas, in the form of stationary water tanks and mobile tankers.