According to ward councillor, Ockie Fourie, the pumps at both the Newton and Riverton Reservoirs were shut down because of critically low water levels at their respective water facilities. He adds that the dam levels, too, are of crucial concern as they are extremely low - which affects the overall water supply to the reservoirs. 

Additionally, anonymous residents have reported several water leaks in the streets that have not been attended to for more than two weeks. Fourie adds that the municipality has yet to respond to residents.

Meanwhile, the Sol Plaatje municipality responded in a media statement, saying the Waterworks Department is working on the water situation in the city, adding they will immediately start with nightly shutdowns to further increase the capacity of the reservoirs.

“The pumps were shut down Monday morning at about 07:00. The pumps were started up at 4 o’clock but then it was sucking air. So they have to switch off the pumps at the Newton reservoir and that is due to chemicals and the blocking of the filters. So the filters are actually the problem so they can’t pump sufficient water to Kimberley,” Fourie said.

As ward councillor, Fourie drove out to the Riverton Water Purification Plant where he noticed the blocked filters where he was informed about the cross contamination of chemicals at the purification plant that has caused additional strain on the pumps’ purification ability.

Residents in Kimberley are pleading that the municipality make use of the existing communication channels to ensure that the residents stay informed about the constant water inadequacies.

A resident reported that a hole was dug by municipal workers an estimated 90 days ago with a depth of two meters and has been left unattended and unmarked, which is a menace to all community members and road users.

“Sol Plaaitje is just keeping quiet about the situation,” says an anonymous resident.

“What about the hospitals, what about the schools? Some of the schools just don’t have JoJo tanks and a lot of the time people don’t even have money to go and buy water and it’s a massive problem.

"What about the old age homes and pensioners? What about people who are physically unable to get water or get to water points?” pleads Fourie.

OFM News/Lee Simmons