Mangaung estimates that the water supply to affected areas will be restored by this afternoon. 

The Pellissier suburb and surrounding areas were the first to be affected at the top of the workweek when the Welbedacht pipeline underwent maintenance which left the Brandkop reservoir empty, and residents without water.

On Thursday, a burst was reported along the Maselspoort pipeline that affected Bayswater, Pentagon Park, Heuwelsig, Westdene and parts of the city’s central business district (CBD). 

Also Read: Pipe burst leaves parts of Bloemfontein without water

Mangaung, which services the Free State capital as well as Botshabelo, Thaba’ Nchu, Dewetsdorp, Soutpan and Wepener, says the system will stabilise at 3 pm this afternoon.

Prior to this burst pipe, Manguang restricted water supply to several buildings falling under the Free State Department of Police, Roads and Transport, owing to the non-payment of water bills. The buildings affected by the issue were the Lengau Testing Centre, Perm Building, Medfontein Building, and Anchor House Building.

The metro restricted water to these buildings in an attempt to recover close to R8 billion owed to them. The situation was later remedied after an agreement was reached between the two parties.

Mangaung says residential debt to the metro amounts to over R4.5 billion and business debt is at over R1 billion. The metro, via its spokesperson, Qondile Khedama, has also recently claimed that vandalism of water infrastructure is to blame for some of their woes. This follows after such an incident was reported at a Thaba’ Nchu reservoir involving two suspects.

OFM News