Residents in Kimberley were caught off guard this morning as taps ran dry without adequate notice, leaving many questioning the reliability of their water supply. The bewilderment arises from the absence of prior notice, leaving residents unprepared for the water scarcity. A recent media statement by the Sol Plaatje Municipality (SPM) adds to the perplexity, as it does not make clear whether the current interruption in water supply solely impacts those dependent on the Newton Reservoir or if it extends to all residents receiving water from the Riverton.
The SPM’s late-night notice on Friday morning at 09:00, January 26, 2024, declared an emergency daytime water interruption, citing extremely low levels at the Newton Reservoirs. According to the statement, the water supply is expected to be restored by 14:00 on the same day, allowing the reservoirs to reach their capacity.
Contradictory reports surfaced when an SPM Councillor suggested that the interruption was caused by two pumps overheating at the Newton Reservoirs, contradicting the SPM’s assertion of low dam levels at Newton Reservoir and delays in cleaning a clarifier at Riverton Waterworks Treatment Plant.
The SPM’s Water Recovery Plan was also cited as a reason for the disruption, involving the cleaning of clarifiers and repairing malfunctioning components at the Riverton Waterworks Treatment Plant. The late notice was attributed to an unanticipated delay in the extent of the cleaning and repair work at the plant.
Residents, particularly those relying on water from the Newton Reservoirs, expressed frustration at the daily and nightly interruptions, leaving them without water for the majority of the day and night. The lack of progress in restoring a stable water supply is raising concern among the affected communities.
The ongoing lack of progress in restoring a stable water supply is not only raising concern but also casting an impending sense of doom among the affected communities. As residents anxiously await the resumption of their water supply, lingering questions about the overall resilience of Kimberley’s water infrastructure and the adequacy of the municipality’s communication strategies during emergencies add to the growing unease.
This article was written by Jurno.