High load-shedding stages impact water supply

uMkhanyakude District Municipality has notified the public that high levels of load-shedding adversely impact water supply in the region.

This after Eskom announced an escalation to stage 6 load-shedding, and subsequently stage 5.

In a public notice on Saturday, uMkhanyakude municipal manager (MM) WM Nxumalo said stage 6 affected the Water Treatment Works in Mtubatuba as Umfolozi Sugar Mill had not resumed production.

“Consequently, this has led to a continuous decrease in water levels at Bhoboza Reservoir and to avoid total drainage, the maintenance team is compelled to implement water-shedding,” said Nxumalo.

As a result, water supply was shut down from 3pm on Saturday until 9am on Sunday.

“All residents are requested to reduce their water consumption where possible.

“This is done in order to build enough water capacity in reservoirs and prevent lengthy outages.

“The technical team will develop a schedule for water-shedding should we continue under stage 6 load-shedding.

“We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. For information, please contact 035 5738600,” said Nxumalo.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Eskom announced stage 5 load-shedding would be implemented from 12 midday on Monday, ‘until further notice’.

The entity said this was done after the successful replenishing of pumped storage dam levels and the bringing back of some generation units back to service.

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