Kimberley – The Democratic Alliance (DA) has issued an urgent appeal to the Sol Plaatje municipality to take immediate action in order to prevent a total water collapse in the region. Recent oversight inspections conducted by DA councillors Chris Whittaker and Ockert Fourie have revealed the municipality’s failure to ensure an adequate supply of purified water to meet the increasing demand.
Although repairs have been made to two major water leaks on the main pipelines from Riverton to Kimberley over the weekend, it only addresses part of the problem. Disturbingly, our observations show that out of the 12 filters at the ageing Riverton Water Purification Plant, only three are currently operational. In other words, the plant is not producing a sufficient volume of purified water to meet Kimberley’s needs. This is evident from the depleted water tower at the Newton Reservoir, the main storage facility.
The gravity of the situation is further exacerbated by the scorching temperatures experienced in the region, along with the subsequent higher demand for water. Despite the Municipal Manager’s (MM) announcement of significant water repairs scheduled for December, the DA questions why the municipality has waited until now to proceed with the necessary shutdown. Given the anticipated surge in temperatures and the annual influx of festive season visitors, water provision improvements should have been prioritized much earlier.
To address this crisis, the DA is calling on the Municipal Manager to establish a dedicated water crisis desk. This measure aims to keep Kimberley residents informed about water levels in real time and ensure they fully comprehend the severity of the situation. In the event of a potential water shutdown, water restrictions can be implemented promptly, thus avoiding an unplanned disruption to the water supply.
Furthermore, the DA emphasizes the need for transparency on the part of the municipality. By sharing regular updates on the water crisis, including their progress in resolving the issue, the Sol Plaatje municipality can secure the support of residents. Clear communication and effective engagement will foster trust and ensure the safe and efficient resolution of Kimberley’s long-standing water crisis.
Issues identified:
- Insufficient supply of purified water due to the poor functioning of filters at the Riverton Water Purification Plant.
- Repair of major water leaks addressed only part of the problem.
- The empty water tower at the Newton Reservoir indicates a lack of sufficient water storage.
- Delay in scheduling necessary shutdown and repairs raises concerns about the municipality’s response to the imminent water crisis.
- Urgent need to establish a dedicated water crisis desk to keep residents informed and enable the implementation of water restrictions if necessary.
- The importance of transparency and regular updates from the municipality to gain the support and cooperation of residents.