BREAKING NEWS – Power failures cause of water shortages

Residents of some areas in the city are up in arms about low water pressure or no supply at all experienced during the night and this morning, to such an extent that they had to drive to family or friends to bath and shower.
Acting Communications and Marketing Manager of the municipality Matshidiso Mothapo reported earlier this morning that residents in the upper catchment areas of the city are experiencing water shortages or low pressure as a result of technical stoppages experienced at supply sources out of town. “The municipality received alerts last night about the Ebenezer plant being out of operation due to lack of power supply. The Olifantspoort plant was also out for a few hours yesterday. These factors impacted negatively on the reservoir levels. Supply from Ebenezer to Polokwane resumed from around 03:00 last night,” Mothapo said.
According to Mothapo, Môregloed, Serala View, Flora Park, Bendor, Ster Park and Thornhill are some of the affected areas. Other areas may also be affected and residents can report it to the municipality on 015 290 2376/2457/2001 or 2002
“Currently the reservoirs are too low and it will take a while before they reach acceptable levels and we cannot say exactly when which areas will be back to normal. In the meantime the municipality will arrange water tankers to the affected areas as a temporary relief. Measures including throttling of lines and reduction of flow to lower catchment areas are being implemented. Those in the lower catchment areas are advised to limit water usage to domestic use only. Municipal water must not be utilised for watering of gardens,” Mothapo explained.
“The municipality was only alerted about the power failures during the night and did not have the opportunity to inform residents beforehand. We have however informed residents in the media and by SMS and social media of the low reservoir levels and challenges experienced at the sources. We apologise for the inconvenience,” Mothapo said.

Story: BARRY VILJOEN
>>barryv.observer@gmail.com

Featured photo: Acting Communications and Marketing Manager of the Polokwane Municipality Matshidiso Mothapo.