The current Stage 6 load-shedding presents multiple challenges that may occur in the City of Tshwane. Key among them is the possibility of water outages, particularly in high-lying areas.
Much of the City’s water and sanitation reticulation systems rely on electricity. Our water treatment works, and pump stations need electricity to operate. While we have reservoirs with storage to last through short interruptions, these reservoirs rely on a continuous flow to maintain levels and be prepared for outages. That continuous flow relies on the pump stations running to pump water.
With load-shedding happening so frequently, the continuous flow of water is interrupted. This means that reservoirs which are under significant pressure, such as high-lying reservoirs, may slowly have their water level lowered until they threaten to run dry.
We have tried as best as possible to exempt our water treatment works and key pump stations from load-shedding, where possible, to protect the water network and ensure that water keeps flowing, but it is not possible to exempt all the water network systems that require electricity.
This means that in some areas, should load-shedding continue, water outages may occur. This is highly likely in high-lying areas, such as Laudium and Waterkloof Ridge, for example.
Even though we have asked residents to work to limit water usage, as we are in a water-scarce area and already at Level 1 water restrictions, I want to ask residents to please be particularly mindful of this risk right now. The summer heat has increased water usage and we need to be careful during this time.
Please make a conscious choice to limit your water usage, such as taking shorter showers, turning off water features and limiting water use for the external washing of cars and buildings. Please delay filling pools and avoid any other high water usage.
As load-shedding levels rise, we need to work together as residents of Tshwane to limit the risk it poses to all residents. Let us save water to protect our at-risk communities.