Despite the Lowveld’s dams being full, most water reservoirs serviced by Silulumanzi are critically low in Mbombela’s suburbs and surrounding townships. The water utility is pleading with community members to use water sparingly, because some of its reservoirs are running low due to load-shedding.

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The spokesperson for Silulumanzi, Richmond Jele, said some of its pump stations are dependent on electricity, and with the ongoing power outages they cannot work, leaving the reservoirs near empty. “We appeal to all our customers without an exemption to use water sparingly. Those with leaks in their homes must fix them. They must report any street leakages to our call centre; our team will attend to them,” Jele said.