Bloemfontein – The water supply to areas around Bloemfontein will return slowly, Mangaung spokesperson Qondile Khedama said on Sunday afternoon.

“Repair works at the leakage near the N6 junction have been concluded,” he said.

A burst in Mangaung’s main water supply line left thousands of residents without water the past three days.

Khedama said the city anticipated to pressurise the main line from 10:00 on Sunday.

“Full restoration will take around ten hours.”

He said refilling the water system beyond the repair site was taking longer than anticipated.

Since Saturday water was supplied through the Rustfontein scheme at a flow rate of 650 litres per second and was shared by take offs such as the prison, Bloemspruit, Longridge system – which include Fleurdal, Freedom Park, Pelindaba – and Brandkop – consisting of Pellisier, Langenhoven Park and the military base.

Khedama said Phase 2 and 3 and the Rockland areas were not getting water as their take off was from the main line.

He said the municipality would continue to supply water through tanks until the city has satisfied itself on the restoration of water in all affected areas.

Earlier, the Democratic Alliance urged the city to install additional emergency water points in the metro.

The party said the communities of Pellissier, Universitas, Langenhoven Park, Heidedal, Freedom Square and Rocklands were the worst affected in the past three days.

The DA said the Mangaung metro had failed to communicate effectively to residents.

Free State DA leader Patricia Kopane said the metro’s website provides no information on the reasons for the complete water disruption.

“This clearly illustrates the arrogant and uncaring attitude of the ANC-led metro council.”

She said the city’s failure to communicate affected many small businesses such as guest houses and restaurants which were forced to close.

– SAPA