This is according to the Sol Plaatje Municipality’s spokesperson, Sello Matsie, who reported that the municipality will continue to implement water restrictions after levels at the Newton reservoir are still extremely low. Matsie stated that at least 30 suburbs were affected by the water crisis and requested that residents should avoid watering gardens and reduce water consumption in order to save water.

This comes after OFM News previously reported that the scheduled replacement of an aged water pipe at the Newton Reservoir in Riverton consequently left the city without water for several days. The Department of Education spokesperson for the MEC, Geoffrey van der Merwe, reported that the department had on Monday instructed twelve schools in and around Kimberley to adjourn, in order to prevent possible health risks for both learners and teachers.

Matsie indicated that water supply challenges arose when the municipality faced difficulties with installing the new water pipe due to issues with its main valve.

OFM News/Elsabé Richard