POLOKWANE – The meeting was initiated by a Whatsapp group, calling themselves ‘Fed up Polokwane’, which exists because residents especially in the higher lying areas and Seshego are literally fed-up.
The group comprises more that 80 people and is a fast-growing group with more than 20 people joining weekly.
Read more: “Fed up” residents to meet over water issues
At the time the meeting would have started on the pavillion of a local primary school, a rugby match was still being played on the field.
Some people may have left while others were waiting at the entrance gate.
In the meantime, water tankers are not solving the water supply problem, as the routes are not pre-determined or time specific.
James van den Bergh had asked to convene the meeting, and called on residents to indicate if they are interested in serving on the committee, so that another meeting can be convened.
Review last week published a detailed report of developments that are taking place in Lepelle Northern Water Board and the municipality’s quest to ensure sustainable water supply to the city.
Read more: R12 billion price tag on fixing of water woes
The planned upgrades’ estimated costs amount to R12 billion. Water supply disruptions have reached record incidences during the last couple of months.
An upgrade to release a further 6Ml water to Polokwane /Capricorn is 95% complete and Eskom is engaged to finalise the completion as soon as possible. Two parts of the the Specon pipeline from Olifantspoort are also refurbished and the completion dates are 12 November and end September 2019 for the second phase. Bulk electrical supply at the Ebenezer plant needs to be upgraded urgently and water treatment works as well as the pump station need urgent attention too.
The bulk water transmission from Ebenezer water treatment works to Polokwane also needs to be upgraded.
Some servitudes need to be registered and the refurbishment of the Olifantspoort water treatment works and upgrade of the bulk power supply to Olifantspoort, booster pump stations as well as the construction of an off-river storage dam near the water works are also in the pipeline.
