Freak storm leaves residents without water
Many areas, including Winterton, have been without water since the storm
The community of Ladysmith has been hit hard, with many areas left without water after last weekend’s freak storm.
Driving rain and gale-force wind ripped through the outlying areas. Initial happiness when rain started falling quickly turned to dread and despair as houses were destroyed.
Many areas, including Winterton, have been without water since the storm.
Jabulani Mkhonza from uThukela District Municipality’s Communications Unit says the reason for the unplanned water cuts is the ferocious thunderstorm last weekend.
He added that the operations at the Ezakheni Water Treatment Works were largely interrupted.
The Pieters area (including the plant situated there) suffered the most impact, with the plant being affected by unusual flooding and power outages.
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The raw pumps on the Tugela River were blocked with debris and silt, which caused the pumps to cavitate (form cavities or bubbles) and trip.
Mkhonza said that, “Our team, together with Kentech, have been working around the clock in dealing with the situation as best as possible.”
As of Friday, some residents were still without water.
Water restrictions are here to stay for the foreseeable future, despite the amount of rain that fell over the weekend in the Ladysmith area and also in the catchment areas.
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