Following the good news that water supply to residents was stable over the previous week, Polokwane Municipality announced that low pressure and shortages may be expected from Tuesday until today (Thursday).
Communications and Marketing Manager of the municipality, Matshidiso Mothapo confirmed on Monday that Lepelle Northern Water will implement a shut off of the Olifantspoort plant for at least two days, supposedly starting on Tuesday to allow for the connection of the new section of the Specon pipeline that was serviced by the temporary bypass. “The contractor requires 48 hours to complete the work, but water will not be immediately available afterwards as the lines and command reservoirs have to be filled first. It could take up to another day before all the areas could be restored,” Mothapo informed.
“The municipality and Lepelle Northern Water will ensure that reservoir levels are kept high to minimise water shortages during the planned maintenance. All stakeholders are encouraged to prepare for this planned maintenance and make the necessary arrangements to ensure that they have temporary water as the tankers will not be able to reach all areas at once. On Tuesday, Mothapo reported that the level of the Potgieter Avenue reservoir was at 35%, while the 50 and 30 mega litre reservoirs were at 35% and 25% respectively. The old 30 mega litre reservoir was at 30% while the level of the Seshego reservoir was at 27%. Before the shut-off, the flow from the Olifantspoort was 65 litres per second. The flow from the Ebenezer plant was 222 litres per second.
The DWS website indicated the levels of the Dap Naudé and Magoebaskloof dams to be 90% and 97,9%. The Ebenezer Dam was at 74,9% and Flag Boshielo 81,7% of capacity.
Story: BARRY VILJOEN
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