Rustenburg residents in the North West are bracing themselves for four days of water cuts due to planned infrastructure maintenance at Rand Water’s Eikenhof Pumping Station.
According to the Rustenburg Local Municipality, the 86-hours water supply interruptions are expected from 13 to 16 December.
Parts of Platinum City’s areas including the CBD, Cashan, Waterfall Mall, Waterfall East, and Marikana will be affected.
The municipality spokesperson Odirile Madiba has urged residents to use water sparingly during this period.
“Pumping at Eikenhof will be reduced to 20% during the maintenance period.
We encourage residents and businesses to conserve water during the interruption period,” said Madiba.
This comes as residents are still reeling from recent water restrictions due to low levels at dams and reservoirs.
Two bulk water suppliers of the municipality earlier warned that water levels have declined at the Vaalkop Dam and some reservoirs because of various challenges including high demand due to heatwave and lack of rain.
According to Madiba, the municipality has put measures in place to continue providing residents with drinking water.
“During this period water tankers will be allocated to all the identified and mentioned places so that they can be serviced during this period,” explained Madiba.
Rand Water has defended the timing of the infrastructure maintenance, arguing that it is ideal as “most industries, businesses, and schools will be closed during this period.