Ekurhuleni power failure disrupts Rand Water pumping operations
Rand Water has asked the City of Ekurhuleni to treat an electricity outage as an emergency after pumping disruptions put water supplies to six municipalities at risk.
Rand Water has warned of possible water shortages in six municipalities after an electricity outage affecting the City of Ekurhuleni’s infrastructure disrupted operations at its Mapleton Pumping Station.
In a media statement issued on November 3, the water utility said the power failure occurred at about 20:35 on November 2, cutting electricity to the pumping station and bringing operations to a halt.
Rand Water said the failure to repair a breaker and restore the electricity supply had left bulk water supplies to the affected municipalities at risk.
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The affected municipalities are the City of Ekurhuleni, City of Tshwane, Lesedi, Govan Mbeki, Victor Khanye and Thembisile Hani local municipalities.
Despite making repeated enquiries throughout the night, Rand Water said it had received no firm commitment from the City of Ekurhuleni on when the electricity supply would be restored.
As of 09:00 on November 3, the municipality had not provided an estimated restoration time.
“Rand Water remains unable to resume pumping and has no control over the restoration of the city’s electricity supply,” the utility said.
Water shortages are expected in the six affected municipalities while the pumping station remains offline.
Rand Water has requested that the City of Ekurhuleni treat the outage as an emergency, given its potential impact on bulk water supplies.
Pumping operations at Mapleton will remain suspended until the electricity supply is restored.
