POLOKWANE – Bulk water supplier Lepelle Northern Water (LNW) on Tuesday afternoon issued a statement saying that while the utility is supplying the city with the required 59 mega-litres per day, the impact of load-shedding at the Ebenezer plant has prompted them to investigate the need for back-up generators.
Earlier, LNW spokesperson Yolande Nel also responded to a media query by the Polokwane Observer following remarks by city mayor, John Mpe, to the effect that the utility did not have the needed back-up generators at their plants.
LNW reiterated that it remains the Polokwane Municipality’s responsibility to reticulate the water they (LNW) pump to the city.
“We are investigating the need to acquire back-up generators and renewable energy options [wind and solar] to augment power to our operations at the Ebenezer and Olifantspoort Schemes during load-shedding. However, we confirm yet again that LNW is supplying the required 59 mega-litres a day to Polokwane as per the existing service level agreement with Polokwane Municipality,” Nel said.
She added that LNW is conducting a feasibility study to determine the logistics cost of energy generators, which will be completed in November.
“This is in light of the required capital expense to purchase industrial generators for the two schemes supplying Polokwane with bulk water, as well as the high cost of fuel,” she said.
Polokwane Municipality’s efforts to get water to residents through tankers in an effort to alleviate the shortage of running water are little relief for the city’s residents, who openly voiced their dismay at a meeting held by the mayor on Monday evening.
Residents said the tankers’ capacity is not sufficient to sustain them for long periods.
One businessman told the mayor he is on the verge of closing down his guesthouse as buying water is a costly exercise.
“I buy roughly 5 000 liters of water per day from private entities and it is hard to maintain as load-shedding also needs energy generators and this too, costs money,” he said.
Resident Tukisho Serite voiced her frustration, saying she has to carry water containers to fetch water using crutches to support an injured foot.
“Still, there are people who are worse off. The municipality needs to do something about it,” she said.
During the meeting, civilians also suggested interim relief measures.
Khell van der Lith of Fred’s Towing remarked that they used company vehicles since the weekend to deliver water from the reservoir to central points as the reticulation of water to citizens, and not an actual shortage, seems to be the problem.
He asked residents to meet them halfway by fetching the water.
“If we do not help ourselves, unfortunately, we are going to suffer. Do not wait for anyone. Come at the predetermined time, bring your bucket and carry the water as we put up tanks all around town.”
He also asked residents to use water sparingly.
Mpe told the residents that Eskom has now exempted Olifantspoort Water Scheme from load-shedding, meaning water will reach homes faster.
