Ladysmith KZN: 8 days in a row without water
Water-shedding is still in place and that is the reason for the water issues being experienced in many areas at the moment
Hyde Park resident Arthur Potgieter, who lives in the Hacienda Espana complex in Hyde Road, recently complained that he had been without water for over eight days in a row…
From load-shedding to water-shedding, Ladysmith has been hit hard over the past few weeks.
Towards the end of August, uThukela released a statement with regards to water-shedding that would affect many areas of the town. Water-shedding is still in place and that is the reason for the water issues being experienced in many areas at the moment.
In the statement, it was said by uThukela communications manager Jabulani Mkhonza that, “The Klip River water level is dropping quickly, day by day, due to no rainfall in the catchment area. Already, it is only possible to pump with one pump from the abstraction point for only a few hours a day,” said Mkhonza.
In addition, a water-shedding schedule was implemented as from August 17 and is still continuing, stopping the pump at 8pm from the Golf Course Reservoir up to Observation Hill and surrounding areas to build up water stock levels. The pump restarts at 5am in order to supply water to both businesses and residential areas. This schedule is set to continue until sufficient rainfall is received in the catchment area of the Klip River.
Mkhonza continued that, “The areas that are affected by water shortages and restrictions are: Ladysmith town, Steadville, Danskraal, Modelkloof, Mkhamba Gardens, Observation Hill, Acaciavale and Roosboom.
The public is urged to use water sparingly when they do have running taps and also store water for the days when there is no supply.”
Also read: Ladysmith: Reminder – water to be shut off for 48 hours
Arthur Potgieter, who is 52 years old and lives with his school-going nine-year-old son, said, “For me and my son, it is very difficult to go without water for such a long period of time. The water tanker only came twice and the one time it was at 10pm. It has been tough, as my son has to be at school and I work the entire day out in the sun, so we need water to bath.
“Arthur is also concerned about the fact that, due to Covid-19, people have to be regularly washing their hands and cleaning around the house, but how do they do this without any water? It is very worrying that the municipality can’t help us.”
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