By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
5 December 2024- The Vaalkop Dam from which Magalies Water abstract raw water for potable usage has regrettably reached critically low levels of about 23% of available raw water for abstraction. The current situation is allegedly exacerbated by below average rainfall patterns during this time of the year.
The Magalies Water spokesperson, David Magae said, persistent heatwave in the region and deterioration of raw water quality in the catchment due to pollution has also impacted Magalies Water’s ability to produce requisite water volumes for potable use by bulk customers.
Magae said at this stage, the raw water pumps have not been able to abstract much needed raw water volumes for treatment purposes, as a result of the low dam level. He further said if abstraction volumes are not reduced, this can result in the complete damage of the pumps, which are designed to operate optimally in different conditions.
“In order to prevent damage to the pumps, Magalies Water with immediate effect will reduce abstraction by 30%, while monitoring the dam level, and further reductions in abstraction volumes from the dam water will be implemented if the situation continues without much change, in an attempt to prevent raw water unavailability.
“The bulk customers such as Rustenburg Local Municipality, Moses Kotane Local Municipality, Thabazimbi Local Municipality, Royal Bafokeng Administration and mines operating in the above municipal areas,” said Magae.
He added that, Rand Water supplied areas from the scheme. Magae said the department of Water and Sanitation has been informed of the current challenges, in order to develop urgent interventions, which will ameliorate the situation at hand.
“Magalies Water urges customers to use the water sparingly during this period, and further apologizes for the inconvenience that this development has caused,” he said.
The Guardian 