UPDATE: Water disruption irks Joburg North residents

Following a large amount of water outages in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg, which included Morningside and surrounding areas, Johannesburg Water has responded to the local residents’ outrage and concerns.

Communications officer at Johannesburg Water Eleanor Mavimbela said, “There was a scheduled water interruption for Morningside and surrounding areas that was supposed to last till 5pm yesterday [24 March] to replace valves in the area. Unfortunately, the planned interruption ran for longer than expected as the team had a challenge with one of the valves.”

Mavimbela added that the technicians working on the valves worked throughout the night and they have made a great deal of progress.

She concluded, “This morning, they have been able to make good progress and they are almost done with the work. Water should be opened soon and because the system will take some time to charge, we estimate that water should be fully restored by lunch time at around 1pm.”

Original story 25 March 1.20pm:

According to a tweet posted by the official Johannesburg Water twitter account, water interruptions were expected from 7am to 5pm on 24 March due to infrastructure upgrades:

[C]ontractor was delayed with regards to completing work. Team is working to ensure water is restored as soon as possible #Morningside— Johannesburg Water (@jhbwater) March 25, 2015

contractor was delayed with regards to completing work. Team is working to ensure water is restored as soon as possible #Morningside

— Johannesburg Water (@JHBWater) March 25, 2015

Reports claim that the scheduled maintenance was not completed and will continue on 25 March. Johannesburg Water apologised for the inconvenience. Morningside resident Anthony Bass said he attempted to contact Johannesburg Water numerous times and was later informed that his water will be turned back on at 1pm on 25 March.

There has been a great deal of activity on twitter with regards to the water cutoff:

@jhbwater #morningside disruption…..19 hrs btw tweets. Why have a platform if you don’t use it to advise delay/contractor issues??? Kate Johns (@KatieJay_) March 25, 2015

@jhbwater #morningside disruption…..19 hrs btw tweets. Why have a platform if you don't use it to advise delay/contractor issues???

— Kate Johns (@KatieJay_) March 25, 2015

We apologise for any inconvenience #morningside Johannesburg Water (@jhbwater) March 25, 2015

We apologise for any inconvenience #morningside

— Johannesburg Water (@JHBWater) March 25, 2015

Thanks Eskom, today we have power. Sorry from Joburg Water, we’re all dry. Jarred Cinman (@jarredcinman) March 25, 2015

Thanks Eskom, today we have power. Sorry from Joburg Water, we’re all dry.

— Jarred Cinman 🎲 (@jarredcinman) March 25, 2015

‘There were challenges with one of the valves during maintenance. Water should be restored by lunch time’ Elanor Mavimbela of @JoburgWater John Robbie (@702JohnRobbie) March 25, 2015

'There were challenges with one of the valves during maintenance. Water should be restored by lunch time' Elanor Mavimbela of @JoburgWater

— John Robbie (@John_C_Robbie) March 25, 2015

This is a developing story and updates will follow.