Oudtshoorn, 19 September 2022 – The constant interruption of electricity has a direct impact on the water supply in Dysselsdorp and Bokkraal, especially the high-lying areas which is part of the Greater Oudtshoorn. The long periods of loadshedding in South Africa caused a water crisis in these areas as the water pump system needs electricity for ± 22 hours a day to supply sufficient water.
The Klein Karoo Rural Water Scheme and Dyssseldorp areas get water from boreholes in the area which are pumped to storage facilities (reservoirs) by means of pumps. The pumps can only pump water according to their capacity and legislative regulations. The long periods of load shedding cause the demand for water to completely exceed the supply. The situation was made worse today, Monday, 19 September 2022, by the fact that Eskom lost a phase of its power supply in the mentioned areas. This resulted in all pumps and electronics of the pumps on the water network being unable to function. The times between load shedding periods is currently very short and as a result, a limited amount of water can be pumped and purified before it is fed into the system.
The municipality is currently using 1 to 2 water trucks to supply water to the areas but realises that it may not be sufficient. A request has been sent to Garden Route District Municipality for help in the form of additional 3 to 4 water trucks to help with the situation in the area while levels 4 and higher Eskom loadshedding is applicable in the country.”
Alderman Chris Macpherson, Executive Mayor of the Greater Oudtshoorn is urging residents to please use water sparingly and report water leaks immediately.