Sol Plaatje Municipality will implement nightly water interruptions this week due to a pump replacement at Riverton.

The Kimberley-based municipality released a notice last week, informing the public that one of the five raw water abstraction pumps drawing from the Vaal River to the Riverton Purification Plant is out of operation, and will be replaced this week.

“A new pump with all the relevant components is being procured, and installation will be undertaken early next week,” said Sol Plaatje spokesperson Thabo Mothibi.

“Water supply remains stable at this stage even though there has been a drop in water levels at the Newton Reservoirs due to the decline in production at the purification plants.”

Due to the need to replace the old pump, the municipality requires time to properly install the new pump. This includes having the water off for the duration of the installation.

The water for the city will be switched off daily from 20:00 to 05:00.

“Water levels have dropped significantly at the Newton Reservoirs amid one of the five raw water abstraction pumps drawing from the Vaal River being out of operation.

“Once the desired water production volumes are achieved at the purification plants, the reservoirs will be replenished to full carrying capacity.”

The municipality intends to lift the water interruptions on Sunday (11/08).

Sol Plaatje replaces old pipes today in Rhodesdene | OFM

This comes with the city’s plan to replace all of Kimberley’s old asbestos water pipes with a newer bulk pipeline including PVC plastic.

“We have about 70km of asbestos pipes that we are going to target and make sure that we replace it completely within the entire network.”

OFM News/Casey-Lee Anthony mvh