Critical work by a team of engineers, contractors and operations personnel at the Olifantspoort Plant's Pump Stations 2 and 3. Photo: Lepelle Northern Water
POLOKWANE – Polokwane residents can expect water supply to resume by midday today (June 20) following the successful installation of new pumps at the Olifantspoort Plant’s Pump Stations 2 and 3.
Lepelle Northern Water (LNW) confirmed that the pumps were commissioned and brought online at 06:00 this morning after a 48-hour planned shutdown that began on Tuesday.
Teams work on the Olifanstpoort Plant. Photo: Lepelle Northern Water
LNW spokesperson Joe Makhafola said the shutdown allowed for the first phase of upgrades at the Olifantspoort Scheme, which is key to improving long-term water reliability in the city.
The Olifantspoort Plant. Photo: Lepelle Northern Water
“The critical work was completed on schedule by a team of engineers, contractors and operations personnel. The upgrade comes ahead of Limpopo’s high-demand summer period, where water shortages continue to pose a major challenge,” he said.
Makhafola added that the broader infrastructure renewal project is designed to strengthen the city’s current and future water supply needs.
A second shutdown is scheduled for the first week of July to allow for the installation of additional pumps.
“Full completion of the Olifantspoort upgrade remains on track for the end of September 2025,” he concluded.
Raeesa Sempe is a Caxton Award-winning Digital Editor with nine years’ experience in the industry. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Media Studies from the University of the Witwatersrand and started her journey as a community journalist for the Polokwane Review in 2015. She then became the online journalist for the Review in 2016 where she excelled in solidifying the Review’s digital footprint through Facebook lives, content creation and marketing campaigns. Raeesa then moved on to become the News Editor of the Bonus Review in 2019 and scooped up the Editorial Employee of the Year award in the same year. She is the current Digital Editor of the Polokwane Review-Observer, a position she takes pride in. Raeesa is married with one child and enjoys spending time with friends, listening to music and baking – when she has the time. “I still believe that if your aim is to change the world, journalism is a more immediate short-term weapon." – Tom Stoppard
