Reservoir levels stable, water crisis plan rolled out soon

The water crisis management plan that aims to address challenges expected to impact the city in the near future is nearing finalisation and expected to be rolled out soon.
The plan responds to the fact that the level of the city’s main water source, the Flag Boshielo Dam, was dropping at such an alarming rate that it was feared it would run dry before the onset of the raining season.
According to the Department of Water and Sanitation, the level of the dam is currently at 24,3% while the levels of the Dap Naudé and Ebenezer dams are at 84,6 and 68,9% respectively.
Matshidiso Mothapo, acting Communications and Marketing Manager of Polokwane Municipality on Tuesday reported 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.
Due to communication challenges that resulted from the strike by Telkom workers on Tuesday, the latest reservoir levels could not be provided at time of going to print.
Last Tuesday the levels of the new 50 and 30 mega litre reservoirs were at 96% and 82% respectively, while the level of the Potgieter 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
>>barryv.observer@gmail.com

Featured photo: A fire hydrant that was allegedly damaged by a motor vehicle in Nelson Mandela Drive on Monday, created spectator value. Water supply to the hydrant was disconnected by the municipality after about three hours and the damage repaired.