Mangaung Municipal spokesperson, Qondile Khedama, last night told OFM News engineers fixed a pipe burst last Thursday which resulted in an emergency shutdown affecting mostly the southern parts of the city. 

He says once the water reached the Brandkop Reservoir yesterday, it was reported shortly afterwards that the Uitkyk Reservoir water levels were drastically going down. 

By late yesterday afternoon, the municipality was unaware that most of the northern suburbs were also without water. 

He says they suspected another burst pipe and it was later confirmed. 

Khedama says the metro immediately dispatched a team which was working in overdrive repair the burst and water supply to residents are restored. 

Repair work is expected to take 24 hours. 

According to him, water tankers and JoJo tanks have been allocated in various areas across the city.

Meanwhile, supermarkets, water supply shops and other outlets selling water in Bloemfontein were quickly running out of water supply last night as residents descended in their numbers. 

Residents queued patiently to buy drinking water. 

This morning some convenient stores in the northern suburbs were low in stock with only a few bottles of water left for sale.

Khedama says residents of Mangaung Metro will be regularly updated on the progress regarding the shutdown and if there are any other reported areas, water tankers and JoJos will be immediately dispatched.

According to Mangaung Metro Municipality, water tankers and Jojo tanks have been allocated as follows to the affected areas: 

(Please note that OFM listeners have said that no tankers were at these locations)

Pellissier – Engen Garage

Pellissier – The OK Shopping Centre

Fichardt Park – Dave’s Meat Market and Pick n Pay Hyper

Fleurdal – Pick n Pay Kay’s Centre

Fauna – Checkers Hyper and Game stores

Lourier Park – The local school

Gardenia Park – The shopping complex

Makro – At the garage

Universitas – The Shopping complex

OFM News