Residents of South Hills, south of Johannesburg, have gone six days without water.

They told Sowetan that they were unable to cook, take medication and use toilets.

On Tuesday dozens of residents barricaded and blocked the South Rand Road with rocks, stones and burning tyres and demanded that Joburg Water provides them with water.

Mary Vryster, 61, who has been living in the area for 26 years said: “As old people we need medication. We can't take it because there is no water. We cannot wash our hands. We cannot cook and use our toilets. Our toilets are a mess, smelling and unhygienic,” said Vryster.

“There is a water truck that comes every day to deliver water but I am a pensioner, it is difficult for me to take my buckets and fetch water. This is totally unfair. This is sad.”

Beverley Meyer, 54, said she was struggling to cook for her family.

“I am very unhappy. I have two grandchildren, one is eight months old. I cannot make bottles of milk for them because there is no water. We haven't cooked since Sunday because we want to save water. We just eat bread. We can’t even bath. Sometimes we wash our clothes in buckets of water and use that same water for our toilets so that we can save water,” said Meyer.

Residents were seen carrying buckets to fetch water from a water truck.

Joburg Water spokesperson Eleanor Mavimbela said Rand Water is at work to restore the water supply to the South Hills tower.

“Rand Water had a power supply issue at their Zuikerbosh purification works on the 26th of August which negatively impacted on their Palmiet pumping system that feeds their Meyers Hill reservoir which supplies the Johannesburg Water South Hills tower. The reservoir was below the threshold at which we could pump into the tower which means the tower area was therefore without water supply since then. Areas like Linmeyer, South Hills, Risana, The Hill and surrounding areas were affected.

Yesterday, Rand Water started with a plan to boost the Meyershill Reservoir to assist it to gain capacity, they are positive that the reservoir will reach its threshold to be able to pump into the South Hills tower soon. We have place water tankers in the area as a form of alternative water supply and they will remain in place until water supply is restored,” said Mavimbela.

A group of elderly people residing in a block of flats in the area said having to go out and fetch water is taking its toll on their physical health as some of them have painful legs and have chronic conditions.

Ruth Ntshoko, 72, said it she struggles to go and fetch water because her legs are painful.

“We are affected a lot. Water is life. I can’t bath properly, cook nor use the toilet. I have pains in my legs so it is difficult for me to go and fetch water by the truck. I cannot even wash my clothes,” said Ntshoko.

Elizabeth Kgasiemang, 76, said she has difficulty going to fetch water because she walks on crutches.

“I walk on crutches. How can I fetch water? It is difficult for me to go and fetch water as I walk on crutches. I have to get young people we stay with to assist me. I even have an eye problem. I cannot even see properly when I go and get water. We should have water in our places so that we don’t have to go out,” said Kgasiemang.

Ward councilor Faeeza Chame said this was not the first time that the residents of South Hills have not had water.

“Last month in July, the people also had a water crisis. They didn’t have water for nine days. Now four old age homes and three schools have had to close because of the water shortage. Our people need water. This is unacceptable,” said Chame.

NOTE: This article has been amended to add comment from Joburg Water spokesperson Eleanor Mavimbela