POLOWKANE – As the city’s water woes continue, leaving scores of residents affected, the Polokwane Municipality says they know these challenges negatively affect everyone and that they’re doing everything they can to restore supply.

Residents are growing increasingly frustrated with the lack of water supply with the municipality reporting disruptions on a near daily basis.

Apart from temporary relief measures by the municipality, residents have to face buying water to get by, while others have opened their boreholes to the public.

Read more: Bendor family opens borehole water supply to the public

During a media briefing on water and electricity challenges this morning, the Mayor of Polokwane John Mpe says they are making headway to restoring supply in affected areas following an in-depth investigation.

“We all know that water and electricity are fundamental to our daily lives and essential for the smooth operation of businesses and institutions. However, recent rain, along with strong winds and storms, has worsened an already challenging situation in our water and electricity supply.

Here are three important points from the briefing:

Tampering of infrastructure affects supply

Mpe once again stated that deliberate acts of tampering has negatively impacted supply to the City of Polokwane as well as Seshego.

He says an investigation revealed interference on the Dap Naude line that feeds the Dalmada Water Treatment Plant in the form of deliberately closed lines.

“This restricted output to the plant, which is now, thankfully, operating at full capacity and gradually improving supply,” he told the media.

Mpe also added that an inlet from the Seshego Dam was found obstructed with rocks, bricks, and debris at various points, blocking the flow of water to the Seshego Water Treatment Plant.

Read more: Stop sabotaging our water efforts – Polokwane mayor

“These acts of tampering with our water infrastructure have caused avoidable hardship, disrupting not only daily life but also impacting critical institutions like hospitals and schools with
University of Limpopo having to postpones final examinations.”

Mpe added that the municipality has involved law enforcement agencies in investigating these acts of sabotage, which he condemns in the strongest terms

Recurring stoppages and power outages

Mpe said recurring power outages and stoppages at the Ebenezer and Olifantspoort Bulk Water Schemes, managed by Lepelle Northern Water (LNW), has severely affected supply.

“Since Monday, October 21, the Ebenezer scheme experienced multiple power dips, with the line cut off over 11 times. The Olifantspoort line, too, saw prolonged dips, including a long dip from Monday afternoon to last night, and as of this morning, Pump Station 3 shut down once more,” he explained.

He added that the major storm on Monday severely affected the Ebenezer Water Treatment Plant and Pump Station 3 at the Olifantspoort plant, causing extensive outages that have left many areas without water

What does this mean for residents?

Mpe said the municipality is making every effort to restore water services as swiftly as possible.

“No one sleeps when there are water challenges,” he told the briefing.

As of this morning, the municipality reports the following:

• The Dap Naude pipeline issues have been attended to and power has been restored to all boreholes and both treatment plants in the City and Seshego.
• The Department of Water and Sanitation handed over an intake tower at Seshego Dam, allowing for raw water abstraction from the dam, enhancing supply.
• LNW restored power at the Ebenezer Water Treatment Plant. As of 10:00 yesterday, the plant has resumed operations, directing water to areas facing critical shortages.

LNW has also reported that power supply has been restored at the Olifantspoort plant following Monday’s severe storm.

“Pump station three has been operating since 07:55. Water is currently being directed to critical supply areas, including Polokwane. Before the system is completely functional, LNW has to fill the pipeline gradually to prevent pipe bursts,” LNW spokesperson Joe Makhafola said.

Mpe added that temporary measures, including water tanker distribution, has been arranged for impacted communities.

“We call upon all residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity on our infrastructure.”