With the announcement that the country is returning to Stage 5 load-shedding, as MMC for Utilities and Regional Operations, I need to emphasise the knock-on challenges that may occur in our city due to this ongoing crisis. A key challenge is that extensive load-shedding is affecting the pumping of water, which may result in water outages affecting our city, particularly in high-lying areas.
Rand Water has already restricted the water flow from their reservoirs to the City of Tshwane by up to 40%. This is a large amount of our daily requirement, especially during hot summer weather. We are feeling the effects of this water reduction and our teams are working extensively to limit any potential outages.
Much of the City of Tshwane’s water and sanitation reticulation systems rely on electricity. Our water treatment works and our pump stations need electricity to operate. While we have reservoirs with storage to last through short interruptions, those reservoirs rely on 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 occurring so frequently and for extended periods, the continuous flow of water is interrupted. This means that reservoirs that are under significant pressure, such as those serving high-lying areas, may slowly have their water level lowered until they threaten to run dry.
We have tried our best to exempt the water treatment works and key pump stations from load-shedding. This is done to protect the network and ensure that water keeps flowing. However, it is not possible to exempt all water network systems requiring electricity.
Residents are reminded to make a conscious choice to limit their water usage. Please consider shorter showers, turn off water features, limit water use for external washing of cars and buildings, 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.