Officials of Polokwane Municipality and Lepelle-Northern Water (LNW) have developed a water crisis management plan that aims to address the water crisis expected to impact the city in the near future.
The plan responds to the fact that the level of the main water resource for the city, the Flag Boshielo Dam, was dropping at such an alarming rate it was feared it would run dry if it does not rain.
Matshidiso Mothapo, acting Communications and Marketing Manager of Polokwane Municipality on Tuesday reported that the plan is in the process of being approved. He added that the water situation has improved recently, mainly due to the cooperation of residents in their efforts to save water.
Burst water pipes are a main contributor to water losses and Mothapo assured Polokwane Observer that the municipality was doing its utmost to rapidly respond to water leaks. He explained that it may appear to residents that fixing leaks take long while there are technical processes to be followed in attending to such matters.
Mothapo also confirmed that the municipality’s law enforcement staff are currently imposing fines of R1 000 on residents that are using hose pipes to water gardens and wash cars.
On Tuesday the levels of the new 50 and 30 mega litre reservoirs were at 96% and 82% respectively, while the level of the Pot- gieter Avenue reservoir was at 70% of capacity. The Seshego reservoir was at 49%. The level of the old 30 mega litre reservoir was 82%. The flow from Ebenezer Dam and the Olifantspoort plant was 167 liters per second and 102 litres per second respectively.
Story: BARRY VILJOEN
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