Power failure still affects water supply
The damaged transformer is considered the reason for water outages in Heidelberg and the surrounding areas due to reservoirs levels dropping.
HEIDELBERG – The total power supply failure that occurred on the evening of February 4 at Rand Water’s Mapleton Booster Station, which is supplied from the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) substation and fed from the Eskom grid, is affecting Rand Water’s water supply to areas in and around the City.
The power failure was a result of Eskom’s transformer that tripped and has affected the CoE’s substation. The incident has also resulted in a decline of Rand Water’s reservoirs due to Rand Water being unable to pump water at full capacity.
Areas like Tsakani, Brakpan, Daveyton, Springs, Etwatwa, Agricultural Holdings Daveyton and other surrounding cultural holdings have experienced water supply interruptions due to the problem.
It has since also been confirmed by the Lesedi Local Municipality (LLM) that the power supply failure also affects Heidelberg, Jamesonpark and other surrounding areas, due to low-running reservoirs.
Today (February 8), Rand Water released an update on the power failure at the CoE substation, stating, “We regret to inform our customers and communities that the CoE substation repair work is still underway. We still do not have an estimated time to completion.”
As a result, the power supply from the CoE is insufficient to enable Rand Water to pump full loads. Rand Water is only pumping 330 million litres per day, 54% below their normal pumping capacity of 730 million litres per day.
The limited power supply from the CoE substation has resulted in the further declining levels of Rand Water reservoirs.
With the restoration of power at the substation still incomplete, Rand Water’s reservoirs are running empty and residents affected by the shortage in water supply are being urged to use water sparingly.
