LNW says water distribution is Muni’s responsibility

POLOKWANE – Water utillity Lepelle Northern Water’s media liaison officer Yolande Nel told the Polokwane Review that distribution and reticulation of water to residents is the Polokwane Municipality’s responsibility.

Nel responded to Review’s request for an update on the ongoing water supply issue, with taps across the city still dry.

Read more: WATER UPDATE: Pumping to Polokwane to resume – Muni

Nel confirmed that LNW completed repair work at a pumpstation at the Olifantspoort Scheme on Thursday afternoon (May 19) whereupon operations resumed.

“Water supply from Olifantspoort Scheme reached Polokwane reservoirs two hours later, due to the process of line filling. In the meantime water was still being provided to the city by Ebenezer Scheme,” she said.

Nel added that since water reached the reservoirs, it would’ve immediately started filling up.

“Taking into account the capacity of the reservoirs, it takes time to fill. Distribution control is part of reticulation. As reticulation is the responsibility of the municipality, they would have to elaborate on distribution of water supplies to consumers,” she said.

But frustration is once again mounting among residents in the city who still do not have water. Despite the Polokwane Municipality saying it will continue to provide temporary relief, some of the city’s taps have remained dry with little to no new information provided by the municpality.

Water supply in the city was shutdown for 24-hours on Tuesday (May 17) in order for LNW to to replace “critical valves on the Specon pipeline” but despite a successful shutdown, supply was halted the following day due to a “breakdown at pump station three” as an electrical tranformer had failed.

Municipal spokesperon Thipa Selala at the time said that LNW’s challenges had been resolved and that they were pumping water to Polokwane and that areas that have not received supply yet are urged to communicate promptly with their Ward Councillors to coordinate water tankers for them.

After receiving several irate queries from frustrated residents without water, the Polokwane Review contacted Selala this morning (May 20) for an update on the matter.

“LNW said they were pumping. Like we mentioned in our previous statement, supply takes time to reach all affected areas if the line was empty,” he said.

When asked if Selala knew how long it would take for supply to reach residents, his answer was a simple “no”.

Reservoir levels as received by Polokwane Municipality as at 08:00 (May 20):

Ext 34 (Ivy) 8%

Potgieter 34%

(Krugersburg)

50Ml 0%

(Krugersburg)

30Ml Dome 0%

(Krugersburg)

30Ml Flat 4%

Olifants 149 l/s

Ebenezer 130 l/s

Seshego 185 l/s

Penina Park 30 l/s

Perskebult 5%

Seshego 13%

SRN 1.7