Water shedding is the new word everyone is talking about in Johannesburg today after last nights announcement. The announcement was the water board will restrict the usage by cutting supplies as required up to 10 hours at a time.
What makes no sense is the dams are not empty but the reservoirs in residential areas are at 50% due to having regular power cuts and less time available to pump water to areas required.
This is all we need as electricity you can get by with back up solar or generators, but water you can do so much. Businesses yet again have to suffer as some rely on water for manufacturing. Imagine a hospital with no water for a few hours as this is not good.
Blaming consumers for an increase in usage is not only clearly wrong as the data shows this is not the case. The first thoughts are is they are looking for a tariff increase in line with our electricity supplier.
We have more water than this time last year and the seasonal rains are nearly due. In April this year dams were overflowing and excess water was released so where and how is there a water problem?
I understand pumping of water to the various areas but that would not take a genius to work out to do this when the power is not cut. The utilities is what is controlled by the government being water and lights and they are now failing on both counts.
I smell a relevant reason for a price hike and nothing else as there is no water shortages. If there is an increase by consumers then I suggest it is a lack of maintenance by the water board who are losing precious water and blaming the consumer.
This is what happens when you have the unskilled in charge of what should be an important position. Imagine cutting water supplies when your dams are full because you cannot get enough water to your communities due to old worn out pumps or a lack of electricity.
How cocky by the water board saying they will dictate the consumption and will no longer rely on consumers to reduce consumption. Areas have already been cut today so this is no joke and they are definitely looking for a massive rate hike as nothing else makes sense here.
Every day that ticks past I realise I am living in the wrong country as things go this is deteriorating far too quickly for my liking.