POLOKWANE – Frustration is once again mounting among residents in the city.
Eskom’s implementation of load-shedding and the explosion of an 11KV circuit breaker at the Gamma Substation have left most residents without power supply.
Subsequently, water supply has been affected as Lepelle Northern Water (LNW) previously explained the impact load-shedding and power failures have on their ability to supply water.
Media liaison officer Yolande Nel at the time explained to Polokwane Review that inherent challenges in the supply of water to Polokwane are generally brought about by high water demand, the need to upgrade the schemes servicing the city with an ever growing population, low dam levels and load-shedding issues.
“Load-shedding further affects operations and production in general, as do pipe bursts that serve as other operational challenges experienced within both schemes. Pipe bursts due to ageing infrastructure are attended to as and when it occurs,” she said at the time.
Meanwhile, a water infrastructure upgrade of R4.5b is on the cards for LNW after the provisional budget was approved by the national water department.
The infrastructure upgrade comes at a time where the current aging infrastructure – still from the 1950s – contributes to the water supply challenges faced by the water entity.
Municipal spokesperson Thipa Selala said in a statement earlier this morning (March 9) that the Manganese Water Treatment Plant is temporarily out of operation. “Operations have been halted due to the electrical challenge at the Gamma Substation. As a result, areas supplied by the Potgieter reservoir will experience water shortages for the duration of the downtime. These areas include Ladanna, Nirvana, Emdo Park, the extensions and other neighbouring areas,” he explained.
The challenge in delivering water supply from the Manganese plant follows Selala’s statement last night (March 8). In the statement, Selala noted that the municipality was aware of most areas experiencing water shortages. The municipality attributed the low pressure of supply to high demand.
Selala added that water tankers will provide temporary relief. Review requested the schedule of water tankers as numerous residents have complained that they do not receive the temporary relief. At the time of publishing, the schedule was not yet received.
