This is according to the Maluti-a-Phofung (MAP) Water spokesperson, Kelopiloe Mogake, who tells OFM News that the municipality has recently purchased a raw water pump from Germany to the value of R270 595.

Mogake explains this is to ensure that enough water is available to the community. And, after more than ten years of challenges with water supply, the pump will soon be installed - by the end of October.

ALSO READ: Maluti-a-Phofung Municipality's water struggle continues

She further adds that since 2010, the Wilge Water Treatment Plant had been running with only two raw pumps.

“These raw pumps extract water from the Wilge River into the plants, which we then purify and supply to the community. If anything goes wrong with one pump, it means we will have to stop running the plant and wait for the spare parts. We can’t find them here in South Africa. We get them from overseas, which was going to be a serious problem,” continues Mogake.

OFM News previously reported that Water and Sanitation Minister, Senzo Mchunu, said regarding water treatment plans, there is still outstanding work involving the municipality itself.

Meanwhile, MAP Water has also stated that water tankers will be dispatched to affected areas after a 700mm mainline pipe burst at Thaba-Tsoeu. The tankers will supply the community with water until repairs are completed and the supply is restored.

OFM News/Mpho Mohapi