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LOADSHEDDING CONTINUES TO CHALLENGE WATER PRODUCTION
13 December 2022
MEDIA STATEMENT
LOADSHEDDING CONTINUES TO CHALLENGE WATER PRODUCTION
Amatola Water is looking for a possible and feasible solution to meet the water demand in the plants that are affected adversely by the long hours of Eskom loadshedding. Loadshedding is now an emerging and a daunting challenge to water production as it leaves plants without any production for a couple of hours. Amatola Water looses hours of water production which is translated to almost loosing 50% of its production time.
During stage 8 of loadshedding plants are producing 50% to 60 % of their normal production and concomitantly the equipment (machinery) is easily affected by the sudden switching on and off as electricity goes off and comes back.
Peddie Water Treatment Works:
Due to Eskom long hours of loadshedding, raw water dam supplying Peddie Water Treatment works is empty. It is impossible to maintain good dam levels to run the plant even when the power is off. This negatively impacts the running of plant. The plant is currently running at 50% as there is one motor running and the challenge is coupled with long hours loadshedding. The Craighead pumping station is pumping water to the lay (holding) dam but due to loadshedding the pumpstation cannot fill the dam which results to plant shutdown.
Bisho pumpstation:
There was a breakdown that occurred at Bisho pumpstation which led to one pump operational and the second motor has burnt down. This has affected Bisho, Zwelitsha and King William’s Town. The second pump is being repaired by the specialist service provider. The specialist service provider will complete the repairs by afternoon of Wednesday 14 December 2022.
Sandile Water Treatment Works:
Due to extended loadshedding the following areas supplied by Sandile wtw are negatively affected.
From Burnshill supply to Cwaru, Fort Cox, Lugidwini, Sweet Homes, Brilliant Park, Middledrift Prison in the west.
From British Ridge to Debe Main which includes Qawukeni, Madubela, Qanda, Mxumbu, Ngcamngeni and Rabula on the immediate west.
From Bulembu line to entire Zimbaba leg, including Xenge, Matabese, Tamara, Mthati, Zalara, Dlova, Masele, Qhugwala on the South and 10km line from Tamara Police Station from Mtombe, Shushu, Mabonga, Tyhura, Phole, Ngxakaxa, Tyatha on the extreme south.
Entire Zanyokwe line from Lenye to Lower Ngqumeya including Zingcuka in the north.
The Dimbaza, Pola Park, Tolofiyeni and Rayi areas.
In order for water to be supplied in an equitable manner, Amatola Water is engaging with BCMM and ADM Municipalities on two things namely;
- a request to reduce the supply pressure on lower lying areas within their distribution networks to force water to higher lying areas. 2. Alternative days of supply (Water restrictions) should also be implemented as the current volumes are insufficient to meet the required demand of the various areas.
Amatola Water requests people to use water sparingly as this loadshedding challenge seems to affect water production and decreased the volumes of water to the people. Due to loadshedding the production volumes for Sandile wtw has dropped from 23Mℓ/d to 11Mℓ/d. It is very unfortunate that, it is difficult to meet the demand of the people at this time of the year. The institution will do all it could to ensure that it produces to its maximum capacity in every chance that it gets to meet the water demand of the people.
Community members are urged to report all leaks, bursts, incidents of vandalism of the infrastructure or wastage and theft of water for personal resale or profit, to Amatola Water for immediate action and to use water sparingly.
ISSUED BY
STAKEHOLDER AND COMMUNICATIONS
For more information contact Nosisa Sogayise, Manager: Stakeholder and
Communications on 083 3577 953
