Pretoria residents have been left frustrated at the worsening water crisis
Councillor Abel Tau said as a result of consumers’ failure to heed calls to use water sparingly, Rand Water had to restrict supply meters throughout the city by 30-50%.
Residents have been left frustrated at the worsening water crisis in the north of Pretoria in the past few weeks, with low water levels and high temperatures, Rekord North reports.
Daily, angry residents have taken to social media about the water cuts and low pressure in the area. According to the Tshwane metro, levels have been low since last month.
“The reservoir levels distributing water across the city of Tshwane through the Rand Water supply system have plummeted substantially, leaving the management of the metropolitan municipality in a worrisome state,” MMC for utility services, councillor Abel Tau said.
He said as a result of consumers’ failure to heed calls to use water sparingly, Rand Water had to restrict supply meters throughout the city by 30-50%.
“With our reservoir levels sitting at an average of 35%, we appeal to the residents of the city and other high water consumers to change their behavioural patterns when it comes to water use,” Tau said.
Various factors have contributed to the Rand Water system experiencing low water levels since last month.
One of the factors was the failure of the purification plants due to power failure as a result of veld fires.
“The situation was exacerbated by the malfunctioning of a valve at one of the utility’s pumping mains from Zuikerbosch purification station.
“This resulted in an 18-hour emergency shut-down on 17 October.”
Tau said the heatwave and delayed rains that have been experienced in the region also contributed to the low water levels.
“In light of the water challenges experienced, the city will henceforth introduce water resource management practice.
“This will entail throttling the outflow valves of all reservoirs during night time so that the reservoirs can recover to acceptable levels for the next day when they will be opened again, (subject to quantity improvement),” Tau said.
“It is hoped that through this throttling exercise the city will be in a better position to plan, monitor, control consumption and preserve water for the benefit of its residents,” Tau said.
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