Amid protests over supply, Joburg Water says main system constrained due to supply, infrastructure limitations

JOHANNESBURG - Joburg Water has responded to widespread protests in the city over rampant supply interruptions, stating that its main system is constrained due to high demand and infrastructure limitations.

The system in question supplies the Hursthill, Brixton, and Crosby reservoirs, which cater to areas including Westbury, Westdene, and Coronationville.

READ: Protesting Westbury residents demand permanent solution to their water supply woes

In a written statement, Joburg Water said that all three reservoirs fed by the system were critically low, with Hursthill completely empty. The utility added that high-lying areas were the hardest hit.

Residents protesting in Westbury said that the lack of water supply in the area was a violation of their human rights.

Westbury resident, Estelle Featherson, said: "It’s inhumane. I go to the toilet, I'm a lady, my family, which is men in my family, they urinate outside. I am the only lady using the toilet inside so that I can have water to throw down my toilet, so that's how it affects us, never mind the washing or cooking or cleaning."

Joburg Water said it was closely monitoring the situation.