Chemical shortage interrupts water supply at Tongaat
The shutdown was necessary to prevent depletion of water reserves while waiting for chemical stocks.
Tongaat residents have been experiencing frequent water outages over the past month because of a shortage of water purifying chemical, polyelectrolyte (poly), at the Tongaat water works.
According to sources, the water and sanitation services have been borrowing emergency supplies from other entities as a temporary solution, but it was not sustainable and water interruptions continued.
Head of communications at the eThekwini municipality, Lindiwe Khuzwayo, confirmed the water works had run out of the crucial chemical on April 17, leading to the plant’s temporary shutdown.
She said water supply was restored after the chemical was obtained later the same day.
Khuzwayo said the shutdown was necessary because of the high demand for water in the Tongaat area, and reservoir outlets had to be closed to prevent depletion of water reserves while waiting for the chemical. She said she was unaware of any other water cuts.
She added that other challenges in the system such as burst pipes, aged infrastructure, illegal connections and increased demand for water also contributed to the problem, preventing uninterrupted water delivery.
Tongaat’s water crisis began during the floods in April last year when the water works was washed away.
It took the municipality seven months to rebuild the plant before resuming water supply.
Follow The North Coast Courier on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube for breaking news
Telegram Broadcast Service: https://t.me/joinchat/yJULuN8NaCs5OGM0
Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news.
Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here, or if you’re on desktop, scan the QR code below.
