The Department of Water and Sanitation is aware of the water disruptions currently experienced by the residents in Mahikeng. This is as a result of technical challenges at Molopo Oog and a breakdown of a borehole at Grootfontein.
The Molopo Oog is the main source of water; the current status is that Mahikeng is receiving 860 cubic meters per hour over the past few days instead of the normal 1200 cubic meters per hour due to the technical fault. This led to a decline in reservoir levels as a significant amount of water could not be pumped into reservoirs supplying water to Mahikeng. The Signal Hill reservoirs heavily rely on the Molopo Oog for supplying water to areas such as Military Village, Kupe, Leopard Park, Unit 6 and Unit 3 as well other surrounding areas.
The Department of Water and Sanitation jointly with Sedibeng Water managed to restore the flow rate at Molopo Oog to 960 cubic meters per hour and a technical team is currently on site repairing the Grootfontein borehole. The water supply around Mahikeng is therefore expected to improve during the course of the week give that it takes a number of days to restore the normal water supply to all residents as reservoir levels have to recover.
Due to the current heat, water demand is constantly increasing, thus making it difficult for the water services institutions to meet the general water demand.
In addition, Sedibeng Water has introduced water restrictions in Mahikeng from 07 January 2016 between 22h00 and 04h00 in the morning in a bid to increase reservoir levels and afford the community reasonable access to water services.
Members of the Mahikeng community, government departments and businesses are therefore strongly requested to use water sparingly to allow reservoir levels an opportunity to recover and ensure continuous supply of water. Residents are urged to use water sparingly by reusing bath water to water the plants, watering the garden before 09h00 and after 18h00 in the afternoon and more importantly close the taps when brushing teeth.
For more information contact:
Sputnik Ratau
Cell: 082 874 2942
Katlego Mokaila
Cell: 082 610 5311
