Load shedding will affect water supply

EXPECT water shortages during the festive season due to load shedding.

Even though Ugu District Municipality has put plans in place to ensure the availability of water during load shedding, the municipality has asked the community to also store water in case of water cuts.

“As much as plans are in place, customers must understand that supply will be affected as water supply depends on electricity,” explained Ugu spokesman Sipho Khuzwayo.

“Ugu has proactively put plans in place to counteract the recurring power cuts by ensuring the availability of all required resources for continued customer service throughout the district,” explained Mr Khuzwayo.

He added that a three-stage contingency plan, depending on the severity of the power cuts, is ready for implementation going forward when load shedding does take place in the district.

Stage one will be the utilisation of generators and the reconfiguration of supply systems.

Stage two will be implemented if the power outage exceeds the scheduled time of two hours. Water tankers will be taken to the affected areas.

Stage three of the plan warrants a total shutdown of the system to allow system build-up for normal water supply.

“Customers must note that in the event of the system being shut down, it can take up to a day or more to restore normal water supply,” explained Mr Khuzwayo.

Mr Khuzwayo emphasised that customers must ensure they store enough water over and above the water relief which will be offered by the municipality.