BREAKING NEWS – City to face two days’ water shutdown

Water consumers should brace themselves for a major shutdown of the Olifantspoort water treatment plant from tomorrow (Tuesday) to facilitate the connection of a bypass on the Specon pipe line.
The work will take two days and although it will not immediately affect consumers, reservoir levels will drop and only be rehabilitated sometime after supply has resumed.
“It is expected that after this new connection, water supply to Polokwane will be improved as there will no longer be constant breakdowns from the Olifantspoort plant,” Communications and Marketing Manager of Polokwane Municipality, Matshidiso Mothapo said in a media alert.
According to Mothapo, all areas of supply will be affected. The affected areas include Chuene/Maja, parts of the city, Seshego, Mankweng and areas outside Polokwane Municipality such as Lebowakgomo, Mphahlele and Zebediela.
“All stakeholders are advised to prepare for this shut off by storing water in their homes and businesses for usage during this shut off period. In the meantime, Lepelle Northern Water is pushing more water to reservoirs from Olifantspoort in order to minimise the impact of the shutdown,” Mothapo explained and added that, during this period, supply will be received from other sources like the Ebenezer plant, Dap Naudé dam and the underground water systems. Water tankers will also be deployed.
Mothapo urged residents in areas that are receiving water to use water with high care during this period and to refrain from watering gardens and lawns.

Story and photo: BARRY VILJOEN
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