Sedibeng says, in a statement released on Wednesday 14 April, that Matjhabeng’s unpaid bulk water account affects their time-sensitive procurement of water treating chemicals. 

Whilst Sedibeng does not explicitly state that such was the case this week, on Monday 12 March when the water board was forced to bring operations at the Balkfontein Water Treatment Plant to a halt due to their inability to access chlorine gas in time, they do insinuate that the outstanding account played a contributory factor.

The water board reveals the company from which they procure the gas, was unable to supply the chlorine “in time”. This, in turn, affected the water supply at Matjhabeng, which includes Welkom, Odendaalsrus, Allanridge, and Virginia, amongst others, this week. The company in question has managed to resolve the matter and are busy with backlog orders. In the meantime, Sedibeng sourced chlorine gas from its other plants, resulting in the Balkfontein plant returning to operation from Tuesday 13 April.

Matjhabeng is yet to comment on the allegation that the bulk water account is not paid in time. It is expected that water supply in the area should normalise soon.

“It must be noted that most of the reservoirs around the Matjhabeng municipal areas were almost empty. And, as a result, it may take time to fill them up. We hope that the supply of water will be available in all areas in the next 24 – 48 hours once all levels of reservoirs are restored,” says Sedibeng in closing.

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