TODAY (July 31), the areas from Isipingo to Pennington supplied off the Wiggins Water Treatment Plant are experiencing supply challenges.

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Normally, the Wiggins Water Treatment Plant produces 350 million litres (ML) of drinkable water per day which is distributed to some central and southern areas of the city, extending to Ugu on the Lower South Coast. Ward 97 councillor André Beetge said that during the past week, and following scheduled maintenance at the works, the plant has only been able to produce a maximum of 316 ML, creating a 34 ML shortfall, without taking bursts or other factors into account.

“As such, the City has been instructed to reduce demand down to 300 ML per day which necessitates an appeal to the public to drastically reduce usage in line with reservoir capacity. Inflow from the South Coast Augmentation pipeline is also reduced during the night to ensure compliance and draw in line with the available volume. With continued use, yet without inflow to ensure reservoirs remain full, this results in morning outages to high areas off municipal reservoirs, such as Launceston Road, Lewis Drive, School Road, Illovo Road and Almond Road,” said Beetge.

He added that uMgeni-uThukela Water, who are also the owners and operators of Wiggins, have indicated that they are investigating the reason for the reduced output capacity.

“Please reduce demand to afford everyone access to water supply,” he said.

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