What every resident should know about the water crisis

Members of the fire department worked until 3am this morning removing algae and sludge out of Klipfontein Dam so that water could be pumped to the purification plant again.

Water supply should be temporarily restored to the entire Vryheid area during the course of the day. Supply to some areas has already been restored. However, Kilpfontein Dam levels are currently at 18% and water supply may be possible until the dam reaches 15%. At 15% the quality of the water will be compromised to the extent that supply will not be feasible. Without rain, this unfortunately means only about two week’s supply of running water for residents.

In the meantime, a trench is being dug to divert the flow of water from Grootgewacht Dam directly to the purification plant. Since Grootgewacht is full at the moment, this would guarantee another month’s supply of water to the town.

According to Cllr Harry Heyns three more boreholes are being commissioned to make water available to residents in the CBD. Two boreholes, in addition to the current one, will be ready to supply water on Mason Street within the next week, as well as the borehole behind the swimming pool, once new pumps have been fitted.

“People need to be aware of the water coming from boreholes, especially from those people who are giving water from their boreholes to the public. Borehole water is not always safe for drinking and needs to be properly boiled or treated before consumption,” warned Cllr Heyns.

In the meantime, saying “Pray for rain,” when greeting someone has become so common in Vryheid that it has become adopted as a formal expression of goodwill. That being said, “Have a great day… and pray for rain.”