Water is coming back slowly

Water tankers will still supply affected areas. The municipality urges the community to report any water leakages and lack thereof.

According to the spokesperson of Emalahleni Local Municipality, Mr Lebo Mofokeng, the municipal team completed repair works at approximately 00:00.

Cold commissioning was carried out to ensure that the work parcels are in good condition, valves are properly functioning and there are no leakages.

Pumping commenced immediately from the Witbank Dam pump station and the quarry to charge the balancing tanks and recommission the modular package plant.

The bulk distribution system is being charged gradually to minimise the possibility of breakages due to air ingress in the water system.

The water treatment plant has been started on a ramp-up mode to built an adequate capacity in the command reservoirs.

It must be noted that the water distribution system, reticulation networks and command reservoirs were running low and empty.

As a result, the recharge time will be long.

“The distant and high lying will receive water later due to their geographical locations and the need to capacitate high-level reservoirs. It is anticipated that most areas will start receiving water during the day, and the system to stabilise by the weekend,” Mofokeng said.

He indicated that water tankers will continue to supply the affected areas.

The municipality urges consumers and communities to report water leakages and lack thereof and to use water sparingly once the water supply is restored.