Middelburg’s water supply has never been more unstable, with former mayor Mike Masina warning that “water load shedding” will soon become the norm, leaving the town with a water crisis like never before.

Even the municipality has been without a drop of water since early Monday, with all the toilets at the civic centre remaining locked.

The following streets have been without water for five days and counting: Viljoen, Frame, Jeppe, Koets, Luttig, Cowen Ntuli, SADC, OR Tambo, Bhimy Damane, Hoog, Park and Boncker – and there are no answers as to what has caused the disruptions other than “the reservoirs are filling slowly”.

The worst areas affected by the shortages are Groenkol and Mineralia, with outer areas experiencing low water pressure. According to DA councillor San-Mari Wait, load shedding is definitely compounding the problem, robbing pump stations of at least six hours daily, to fill the reservoirs.

The latest shortage comes on the back of similar shortages in Kanonkop, Dennesig and Mhluzi three weeks ago, where some residents also had to go without water for seven days.

The Municipal Manager, Advocate Bheki Khenisa, told www.mobserver.co.za that load shedding has basically “downed the Vaalbank Water Treatment Plant”. He said that the municipality is pressing the acquisition of an industrial-grade generator “to take Vaalbank off-grid to ensure a stable supply”.

A pipe burst in Silver Street, Ward 11, comprising parts of the CBD, Vaalbank, Extension 18, Industrial, Suid and Mineralia, also added to the problem on Sunday and Monday, with two burst pipes on the same line. Newly elected DA councillor for Ward 11, Deon van der Merwe, said the pipe has been fixed. The pipe has been fixed and bled, and water supply is slowly restoring.

Both Advocate Khenisa and municipal spokeswoman Ms Prudence Magutle told www.mobserver.co.za that they are awaiting the latest updates from contractors out in the field to address the problems and to update the public on what contingency plans would be implemented.

Meanwhile, kind residents with boreholes have once again offered to assist residents without water.

Residents should check their respective ward, CPF and other WhatsApp groups for water availability from borehole owners near to them.