POLOKWANE – In a report sent to the municipality last night, Lepelle Northern Water said they were not pumping water from the Ebenezer line to Polokwane due to electrical challenges experienced in the area.

In a separate report, sent this morning, another challenge was experienced on the Olifantspoort line.

According to Municipal Spokesperson, Thipa Selala, the electricity is back on at Ebenezer. In a messaged received from LNW at 16:24, the water utility indicated that they have started the plant.

“Water will take long before getting to Polokwane because we will be filling the line first,” the message reads.

When Selala was asked to explain why water supply takes long to be restored following pipe bursts or repairs, he said: “Once the pipe is repaired and supply is restored, it might still take long for water to reach all affected areas because the line could empty due to the stoppage.”

Selala added that the water utility says it is currently running at low capacity due to muddy raw water from Mohlaletse River. “Pump stations 2 and 3 have also experienced stoppages this morning,” he added.