Johannesburg – Rand Water will meet Water and Sanitation Minister Nomvula Mokonyane on Friday over the water shortages in Gauteng this week.

“I am meeting with the minister today at 09:00. I don’t have the results of the water levels [of the reservoirs] right now,” Rand Water spokesperson Justice Mohale said.

He would only be able to provide an update on the water situation at 10:00.

Johannesburg Water spokesperson Millicent Kabwe also could not provide an update on Friday.

“The situation is still as it was yesterday,” she said.

Ekurhuleni city spokesperson Themba Gadebe said he was driving and could not immediately comment.

On Thursday, authorities said water had been restored to most parts of Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni.

Problem with high-lying areas

At the time, only two suburbs in Johannesburg – South Hills and Rabie Ridge – and two in Ekurhuleni – Bedfordview and Primrose – were still without water.

@jhbwater Speechless! No hope for residents affected by #nowater #watercrisis. NO ANSWERS, NO ACCOUNTIBILITY! NO CARE ATTITUDE!!!!!

— Jackie van Pletzen (@Jax1981) September 26, 2014

At the time, Mohale said there was a problem with high-lying areas, such as Bedfordview and Primrose, because there was not enough pressure to push water there. As water levels increased, there would be enough pressure to pump water to those areas.

Mohale said to increase water levels at the struggling reservoirs, some water was being diverted from those areas that had enough water to those that did not have any. It was unknown if this operation was successful.

Residents in and around Pretoria were also experiencing problems with the City of Tshwane also blaming Rand Water.

The city tweeted on Thursday: “It is difficult to fill up the reservoirs as residents are using water as soon as water becomes available.”

It later said that water tankers had been dispatched to certain areas including Laudium, Itereleng and Soshanguve.

5 days later and still no water in areas west of Pretoria. It’s a disgrace. @CityTshwane blames Rand Water. @David_Makhura @GautengProvince

— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) September 26, 2014

SAPA