TEMPORARY WATER INTERRUPTION 15/08/2026 – Newton Reservoir & Riverton Plant
UPDATE: 16 August 2026 – 08:20
Latest: The pumps at Riverton Water Treatment Plants were at full flow at 23h00 last night, and taps have been flowing for all low-lying areas this morning.
In video: City Engineer for Water and Sanitation Mr. Blessing Mukosi and Project Leader from consulting engineering company Bigen Africa, Mr. Rickus Rossouw, were in conversation with Sol Plaatje Municipality spokesperson, Mr. Thabo Mothibi, detailing the Newton pipework upgrade operation and the restoration of supply.
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UPDATE: 15 August 2026 – 19:00
⚠️ UPDATE 2: 36-HOUR PLANNED WATER SUPPLY INTERRUPTION – WE ARE AHEAD OF SCHEDULE
》 GOOD NEWS: Water supply to entire Kimberley is set to be restored ahead of 18:00 tomorrow, 16 August 2026.
🚰💦 UPDATE ON NEWTON RESERVOIRS COMPLEX PIPEWORK UPGRADES:
The pipework installations at Newton Reservoirs Complex have progressed very well, setting us ahead of schedule.
New valves on the distribution network have also been installed.
● RESTORATION OF SUPPLY PROCESS:
》 One pump is currently running at Riverton Water Treatment Plants as a gradual 600 mm pipeline filling measure. This is meant to reduce the time it will take for water to reach Newton Reserviors and also to reduce time for pipeline filling.
📍 RESTORATION OF SUPPLY: SUNDAY, 16 AUGUST 2026
》 Once supply from Riverton to Newton Reservoirs Complex is confirmed, supply to high-lying areas will be set in motion.
Next update: Tomorrow morning at 08:00.
YOU ARE APPRECIATED:
We thank all water users for the cooperation as we roll out the R2.5 billion Budget Facility for Infrastructure (BFI) investment in our bulk water supply infrastructure.
Kind regards,
Thabo Mothibi
Communications Unit
SOL PLAATJE MUNICIPALITY
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UPDATE: 15 August 2026 – 08:40
⚠️ UPDATE 1: 36-HOUR PLANNED WATER SUPPLY INTERRUPTION – NEW PIPEWORK INSTALLATIONS AT NEWTON RESERVOIRS COMPLEX IS ON THE GO
🚰💦Update: Aimed at curtailing water losses within the Newton Reservoirs Complex, the installation of new pipework has taken off this morning at 06:00.
It is all hands on the deck from staff at the municipality’s Waterworks, consulting engineers, and contractors in working towards a future of stable water supply and of the highest quality.
The pipework installation at the complex is a continuation of upgrades under the Budget Facility for Infrastructure (BFI).
Newton Reservoirs Complex is a landmark feature in the municipality’s water network system. It is used for storage and distribution of purified water to Kimberley. Hence, it features prominently in the BFI-related bulk water supply infrastructure repairs and upgrades.
📍Access Updates Via Sol Plaatje Municipality WhatsApp Channel: For verified and constant updates on the Planned Water Supply Interruption, please follow our WhatsApp Channel
How to join:
1. Open WhatsApp → Go to Updates tab
2. Search for Sol Plaatje Municipality and tap Follow.
More updates to follow.
Kind regards,
Thabo Mothibi
Communications Unit
SOL PLAATJE MUNICIPALITY
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UPDATE: 11 August 2026 – 14:30
⚠️ ALERT: WATER SUPPLY INTERRUPTION ON SATURDAY, 15 AUGUST 2026 AT 06:00 TO SUNDAY, 16 AUGUST 2026 AT 18:00
Reason: Continuation of new pipes installations as part of the upgrades at the municipality’s all-important Newton Reservoirs Complex. In addition to the pipework, new valves will also be installed on the distribution network pipeline.
📌The schedule is as follows:
Date: Saturday, 15 August 2026
Time: 06:00 – Switching off pumps at Riverton and booster pumps at Newton and closing valves on all reservoirs.
Restoration of Supply: Sunday, 16 August 2026 at 18:00
📍Please Store Water:
Therefore, it is important for residents to store sufficient water for essential use ahead of Saturday, 15 August 2026.
The pipes installation operation is being undertaken under the Budget Facility for Infrastructure (BFI), and a date will also be announced for additional planned work in the future.
💧Newton Reservoir Complex Upgrades
Amongst the projects completed under the BFI at the Newton Reservoirs Complex are the installation of new valves at all four reservoirs, and for water quality improvement – the cleaning and disinfecting of all four reservoirs from early last year to end May this year was done.
Key in the security upgrades was the installation of a perimeter fence worth R4 million. A guard house is to be constructed, and CCTV cameras are to be installed.
In addition to the series of upgrades, reservoirs levels are to be measured through the incorporation of new online technologies that are in the process of being implemented. Thus, bringing about a shift from manual recordings to digitised that can be viewed remotely by operators.
Newton Reservoirs is a landmark feature in the municipality’s water network system. It is used for storage for the distribution of purified water to Kimberley. Hence, it features prominently in the BFI related bulk water supply infrastructure repairs and upgrades.
Kind regards,
Thabo Mothibi
Communications Unit
SOL PLAATJE MUNICIPALITY
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