Tshwane taps might run dry

The Tshwane metro has warned of possible water interruptions, following an explosion at a pumping station at the weekend.

This warning comes after three medium voltage motors used to run pumps exploded on Sunday, at Rand Water’s Palmiet booster pumping station.

Tshwane metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said Rand Water notified the metro on Monday that the station’s “infrastructure failure” has affected its water pumping capacity.

“Due to this failure, only 55% of its normal daily water supply volume can be supplied,” said Mashigo.

“Rand Water said that if the call to reduce water consumption is not heeded, there will not be sufficient water to supply municipalities and its reservoirs will run dry,” he said.

“Residents within Tshwane’s jurisdiction are urged to reduce their water consumption to avoid possible water shortages.

“The metro’s water reservoir levels would also drop and ultimately run dry, a situation that will lead to inevitable water supply interruptions.”

To save water, residents must:

– Not water or irrigate gardens with a hosepipe or sprinkler system between 06:00 and 18:00.

– Not wash vehicles with hosepipes or high-pressure systems.

– Not fill swimming pools.

“We urge all residents to make efforts in decreasing the water demand by adhering to the water restrictions and reducing their water consumption.

“We would also like to plead for residents’ co-operation during this interruption period.”

Rand Waters spokesperson Justice Mohale said the cause of the explosion was still unknown.

“A root cause analysis is currently being investigated,” said Mohale.

Mohale said emergency repairs were being made to the damaged infrastructure.

Affected areas are Tshwane, Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni.

Estimated times for full restoration of the failed station were unknown.

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