Silulumanzi points out load-shedding as cause of water supply disruption

Silulumanzi, the water utility provider, said the constant power outages are causing water shortages as they are unable to fill the water reservoirs.
This is according to a statement that was released by them today September 21.
“When a stage is planned, the plant must be turned off 30 minutes before the scheduled blackout to prevent damages. It must also be turned on 30 minutes later after the scheduled electricity returns, which causes the delays in water purification and distribution,” said Richmond Jele, the spokesperson for the water utility company.

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Jele said even if there are adjustments of the stages, they are already burdened and unable to operate smoothly.
“Eskom’s adjustment of load-shedding from stages 6 to 5, does not have any significant impact on the water abstraction, purification and distribution challenges being experienced.

The electricity outages still occur for up to eight hours, sometimes even more, during a 24-hour period. It is worse when you take into account electricity load-reduction affecting the water treatment plants and the pump stations that require electricity to pump water to reservoirs supplying communities.”

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He said they appeal for calm and patience while they do their utmost best to supply water to the communities.
“Reservoir levels are still critically low to empty. It also takes considerable time to fill water tankers at the Karino Water Treatment Plant due to the huge backlog in water supply. The same electricity outages also affect the plant.
“We would like to say to the private water suppliers who sell water to our vulnerable communities, to stop hindering our tankers from supplying water freely,” Jele said.