POLOKWANE – Lepelle Northern Water (LNW) plans on minimising the impact of daily shutdowns at the Ebenezer Water Scheme by accumulating water inside the Rustfontein reservoir every evening.
Planned power outages at the scheme came into effect a fortnight ago as the Greater Tzaneen Municipality replaces damaged infrastructure on the Ebenezer 33kv power line.
According to LNW, the project is expected to be completed around November and will result in five-hour interruptions daily, except on Saturdays:
Monday to Friday: 06:00 to 11:00
Saturday: No interruption
Sunday: 06:00 to 13:00
LNW spokesperson Kwena Mehale told Polokwane Observer that their plan to ensure residents receive water includes coordinating with the Polokwane Municipality for LNW to synchronise the closing and opening of outlet valves.
“The Ebenezer plant will close outlet valves every evening, to accumulate water in the Rustfontein reservoir in conjunction with the municipality, and release water in the early mornings every day until the Tzaneen Municipality has resolved the issue.”
Asked why the public was not informed prior to the start of the project, Mehale said their mandate stipulates that LNW as a water services utility may not communicate directly with the municipality’s end consumers.
“We informed the municipality in the form of a letter,” Mehale said.
Municipal spokesperson Thipa Selala said residents were informed as soon as they received notice of the schedule.
“We are engaging with LNW to reprioritise scheme operations to minimise the impact on residents. All areas supplied by the Ebenezer line will be affected. This includes the city, Seshego, Mankweng, Mentz and Segwashi.”
Selala said their plan to minimise impact is through the use of water tankers.
“We are assisting with the delivery of water to communities through water tankers. We are doing everything in our power to ensure tankers get to all affected areas.”
Selala added that the municipality is finalising the procurement of additional water tankers to assist affected communities.
