The event was attended by various representatives from Joburg Water, GCS Water and Environmental Consultants and the City of Johannesburg who addressed the issue of water scarcity in Johannesburg and how the borehole campaign would greatly benefit the city.
A presentation led by Andrew Johnstone, of GCS Water and Environmental Consultants, stated the aims of the borehole campaign. Johnstone said the campaign would encourage the use of groundwater in order to alleviate current and future demand on existing water supplies. The campaign would also aim to encourage the use of sustainable groundwater in various areas including irrigation systems for gardens and recreational facilities.
Johnstone added that the campaign would involve identifying areas of high water demand, and identifying high water consumption located in areas with a higher ground water potential.
The presentation also brought forth the partnership the Borehole Water Association and Joburg Water will enter in monitoring existing boreholes in the city and the development of new one’s while keeping up to date with the various groundwater reserves in the city which will work with Joburg Water developing bylaws to monitor these boreholes.
This led to a drilling demonstration at the country club of a borehole where groundwater was identified and the signing of a partnership memorandum by member of the Borehole Water Association, Colin Rice, and managing director of Joburg Water, Lungile Dhlamini.
MMC of the Department of Environmental and Infrastructure Services, Matshidiso Mfikoe said that with the recent drought in the province, the department has realised the importance of the mindful usage of water.
Mfikoe said, “As part of the City’s sustainable mandate, Joburg Water has looked at innovative ways to curb the water demand throughout the City through the introduction of alternative water supplies. One such alternative is boreholes.
“I want to strongly encourage the residents of the City of Johannesburg to work together with us and make an effort to find out if they will be able to drill a borehole in their area, as we are aware that it is not every household that can drill a borehole.”
Mfikoe said the City of Joburg has identified areas such as Founders Hill, Dunkeld West, Linksfield, Elton Hill, Bramley, Houghton Estate, Sunningdale, Melrose Estate, Rosebank and Parktown North and has pleaded with residents in these areas to strongly consider drilling a borehole to gain access to groundwater, as these areas have been found to be the city’s highest water using areas.
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