Kimberley Water Supply UPDATES – October 2023

UPDATE: 29 October 2023 – 12:54

The Municipality will switch off water today at 13:00 until 16:00due to low reservoirs level. This is to avoid complete depletion of reservoirs. We will continue implementing the nightly water interruptions at 21:00 until 04:00.

T Riet
Comms

UPDATE: 27 October 2023 – 11:40

Good afternoon, Residents

Cllrs Ockie Fourie, Peet Louw and myself went to do oversight at Newton.

Water levels are very low, with one empty dam and the other three all below 10. The tower is almost empty.

The reservoir is running on one pump. This, combined with high usage caused by extreme heat, is the reason why some residents are experiencing little to no water pressure.

The cause of this is a continued slow supply of water from Riverton.

An afternoon water shutdown is likely.

Chris Whittaker
Ward 24

UPDATE: 27 October 2023 – 09:45

We have sent out messages to a few Ward Cllrs requesting info with regards to the water issue (NO WATER) Kimberley Residents are currently facing. Sol Plaatje Call Centre don’t know what the issue is, merely stating it looks like the whole Kimberley is off. We will update as soon as we receive more conclusive info or any info pertaining to the water. So far no communication has been sent out by Sol Plaatje yet. We eagerly await their response, if any.

UPDATE: 19 October 2023 – 13:00

The Sol Plaatje Municipality will be implementing the afternoon water interruption from today (Thu, 19 Oct 2023) at 13:00 till 16:00.

Due to the low levels at the Newton Reservoir.

As a result the Municipality will be closing all direct off-takes that feeds directly to Galeshewe so that the water can be pumped directly to Newton. This is going to boost pressure and levels so that town and high lying areas can have adequate water.

The Municipality is working tirelessly to restore the water and would like to appreciate your patience and apologise for the inconvenience caused.

T Riet
Comms

UPDATE: 17 October 2023 – 08:45

Many areas in Kimberley are experiencing little to no water pressure in the taps this morning. No official notice or info has yet been released by Sol Plaatje Municipality with regards to this.

As soon as we receive more info, we will do an update.

Info via Social Media reports.

UPDATE: 16 October 2023 – 14:20

Dear community members, the Democratic Alliance engaged with Mr. Matlala, the Municipal Manager (MM) of Sol Plaatje Municipality to determine what issues are causing water disruptions and/or low water pressure in certain areas. Mr. Matlala has informed us that the issue may be the valves along the water supply line that is causing the erratic water supply to high-lying areas especially close to the reservoir which they are trying to locate with the director of water and sewage infrastructure, Mr Mukosi. The MM has also contracted a “water infrastructure specialist” to advise and assist the municipality after completing an assessment of our water infrastructure and the reasons of the shutdowns we were compelled to implement.

The reservoir is at acceptable but not desired levels and as such, nightly shutdowns will continue to ensure that all catchment reservoirs at the Newton Reservoir is at full capacity to mitigate any emergency water disruptions. The manager at Waterworks, Director of Water and Sewage Infrastructure and the Head of Department of Municipal Infrastructure reports to the MM daily on the water situation to give immediate attention to any situation that may arise that affects or may affect water supply. The MM will personally be addressing the next Utilities Committee Meeting this week to inform the Committee of the water issue/s at which the Democratic Alliance will draw attention to the issues affecting households, businesses, Old Aged Homes and schools and the effect the water disruptions has upon the communities duties and quality of life, upon being denied access to a basic human right. Mr. Matlala also intends hosting an informal council meeting with regard to the above-mentioned to inform councillors of his plans to restore a reliable, sustainable, consistent and above all accessible water supply to the residents of Sol Plaatje Municipality. He intends to outline his commitment to mitigate water disruptions as well as his plans to prevent any emergency or planned water shutdown for the rest of 2023.

The Democratic Alliance, councillors have also asserted their right and duty as councillors to do proper oversight at the various water supply infrastructures to confirm any information provided and to keep the community informed of the state of said infrastructure. We have requested a JoJo tank to be placed at the Sol Plaatje Municipality building opposite the Fire Station and at least have one flatbed trucks with a JoJo tank on it to supply water as and when a water disruption occurs to the residents of Sol Plaatje Municipality.

Thank you.
Heinrich Pieterse

UPDATE: 15 October 2023 – 10:16

Water was switched on at 04:00am to all areas in the city. Reservoir level of 91 was at 13ft2 when water was opened at 04:00, and has gradually dropped to 12ft11 at 07:00am. Riverton is still running with 2 high lift pumps most of the time.

The Water consumption will be closely monitored throughout the day, to determine whether there will be a need to shutdown supply during the day. This will, however, be communicated accordingly. Nightly shutdowns will continue as communicated (21:00pm – 04:00am).

To improve water production in Riverton, procurement of filter sand has been prioritized, and it should be received latest on Friday.

If there are still areas without water Pls contact control room (053 830 6111).

Consumers are humbly requested to continue using water sparingly.

T Riet
Comms

UPDATE: 11 October 2023 – 17:27

With the persistent challenge in maintaining safe water reservoir levels at Newton Reservoir Complex, the Municipality has embarked on emergency repairs of the water filtration system at the old purification plant in Riverton. The aim is to augment production capacity, to counter the effects of excessive clean water list due to frequent backwashing.

When the emergency repairs are completed, about 27 Megalitres/day will be added into the system input volume (SIV) to Kimberley.

Afternoon and nightly water interruptions as indicated on previous update will still continue until levels have reached full capacity at reservoirs.

T Riet
Comms

READ MORE:
Afternoon Water Interruptions: https://www.kimberley.org.za/?p=36875
Nightly Water Interruptions: https://www.kimberley.org.za/?p=22468

UPDATE: 9 October 2023 – 07:30

With 23 at 14ft5 and 91 at 7ft8, we will start the 2nd pump, for 2-3hrs. This will boost pressure in upper lying areas. We are going to monitor the situation at both in Riverton and Newton, and give further instructions.

There might be water supply interruptions during the day, but supply should stabilize as the week progresses. Nightly 🌙 water interruptions between 21:00pm and 04:00am will continue until safe reserves are established.

T Riet
Comms