UPDATE: 26 January 2026 – 18:50
UPDATE 4: RESTORATION OF WATER SUPPLY FOR KIMBERLEY AND RIVERTON HAS TAKEN OFF
Latest: At 18:00, one pump was engaged at Newton Reservoirs for pumping into the Kimberley suburbia water distribution network. This is an effort to build up pressure before putting the second pump into operation.
Important Information: Low pressure is likely at this stage. Other high-lying areas, depending on location, might receive water in the next two hours.
Recovery of Newton Reservoir Levels: In an effort to retain around the clock uninterrupted water supply, a three-day nightly water interruption- 21h00 to 04:00 – is most likely in propelling the retention of highest levels for water supply to all residential areas.
Further communication to follow on the above.
Background into today’s water outage: ESKOM had to undertake emergency repair work on its 133 kV powerline powering the Riverton Water Treatment Plant. Pumps at the plant and Newton Reservoirs were switched off to avoid depleting the reservoirs.
Thank You: We extend our sincere appreciation to all residents for your understanding and support as we dealt with Eskom’s unfortunate outage that resulted in the water supply interruption.
Kind regards,
Thabo Mothibi
Communications Unit
Sol Plaatje Municipality.
UPDATE: 26 January 2026 – 12:50
UPDATE 3: EMERGENCY WATER SUPPLY INTERRUPTION FOR ENTIRE KIMBERLEY AND RIVERTON
Latest: ESKOM has completed the repair of the 133 kV and is conducting an hour-test to prepare for reconnection to the grid.
Riverton Treatment Plant (Operational Status): Pumping from Water Treatment Plant has resumed.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Due to the bulk pipeline being empty at this stage, the restoration of supply should be expected from 18:00.
Line filling from Riverton Treatment Plant to Kimberley’s Newton Reservoirs has to be enforced before pumping is activated at the latter facility.
We plead for patience, and we do appreciate your understanding amid last night’s Eskom outage.
Kind regards,
Thabo Mothibi
Communications Unit
Sol Plaatje Municipality.
UPDATE: 26 January 2026 – 07:40
UPDATE: EMERGENCY WATER SUPPLY INTERRUPTION FOR ENTIRE KIMBERLEY AND RIVERTON
Latest: Eskom maintenance team is still busy with the repairs; broken cross arm on the 132kV Holsdam-Ulco overhead powering at pole 18 on the Holsdam side.
The damage is on the elevated electrical supply network that powers Riverton.
Consequently, the water reservoirs at Newton had to be switched off last night when the power supply fault occurred. This is a precautionary measure to avoid depleting the levels at Newton Reservoirs.
More updates to follow. We are consulting with Eskom and should soon provide an estimate on the completion of repair work.
Kind regards,
Thabo Mothibi
Communications Unit
Sol Plaatje Municipality.
UPDATE: 25 January 2026 – 20:15
EMERGENCY ALERT: TEMPORARY WATER SUPPLY INTERRUPTION FOR ENTIRE KIMBERLEY AND RIVERTON
Reason: There is an electrical fault at Riverton Water Treatment Plant from the side of ESKOM.
The plant is off, and the electrical team from ESKOM is working around the clock to solve the issue.
The water reservoirs at Newton are stable, and the levels are being monitored.
Precautionary Measure: As a result, the municipality will be closing water at 21H00 to 04H00 tonight (25 January 2026) so as to avoid depleting the levels at Newton Reservoirs.
Residents are encouraged to store water for tonight.
We plead for your cooperation.
Kind regards,
Thabo Mothibi
Communications Unit
Sol Plaatje Municipality.
Shortlink for this post: https://www.kimberley.org.za/?p=42808
