KIMBERLEY – The Sol Plaatje Municipality has recently announced that it will be implementing daily water interruptions in addition to the already long-standing nightly interruptions.
Thoko Riet, spokesperson for the Sol Plaatje Municipality, stated that the additional interruptions are necessary due to low and continuously dropping water levels at the Newton Reservoirs.
The municipality cites a variety of factors that have contributed to the drop in reservoir levels, including the current heatwave, lower-than-normal production in the Riverton Water Purification Plant (WPW), and the reopening of schools. However, it is important to note that Riet failed to mention that several areas were still without water before 06:00 this morning, indicating that schools cannot be a cause of the issue.
As a result of the ongoing water shortage, the Sol Plaatje Municipality has scheduled afternoon interruptions from 11:00 to 15:00 and nightly interruptions from 21:00 to 04:00, until October 13th.
During these periods, schools, clinics, and hospitals without adequate water storage facilities will be provided with water tanks.
Unfortunately, the situation is further exacerbated by the Newton Reservoir’s low filling rate, which is attributed to the water filters at the Riverton Water Treatment Plant requiring refurbishment. The treatment works are currently not operating at an optimal level, significantly impacting water supply. Only two out of three pumps at Riverton are supplying water to Newton Reservoir, and only one out of two pumps at Newton is operational.
The current water levels at the Newton Reservoirs are as follows: the 102-megalitre dam is at 8.5f, the 91-megalitre dam is at 8.11f, the 23-megalitre dam is at 9.10f, while the 45-megalitre dam remains empty.
Despite the severity of the water crisis, the Sol Plaatje Municipality seems reluctant to take responsibility for its failures and instead shifts blame to external factors. This has left many residents without access to clean and reliable water, with limited water tankers available to service the entire city.
In the face of this worsening crisis, urgent action is required from the municipality to effectively address the critical issues at hand and prevent further hardship for the residents of Kimberley.