In a proactive move aimed at safeguarding water supplies, Magalies Water has alerted its bulk customers in the North West and surrounding regions about impending water demand management strategies. This warning comes on the back of below-average rainfall in many interior and central areas of South Africa, leading to higher than usual water consumption rates.
According to the South African Weather Services, temperatures across the country are anticipated to remain predominantly above normal due to the ongoing El Niño effect. This climatic phenomenon has resulted in a marked increase in water usage, which has placed significant strain on the utility’s resources.
Magalies Water spokesperson David Magae expressed the utility’s concerns regarding the current situation. “The persisting climatic conditions have worsened the deterioration of raw water quality in the various supply schemes. This is compounded by instances of pollution, which directly impacts Magalies Water’s ability to produce the required volumes of potable water,” he stated.
In response to the deteriorating conditions, Magae has appealed to the utility’s customers to conserve water, noting, “The flow into the treatment plants has been reduced, leading to limited raw water availability for abstraction, treatment, and distribution to bulk customers.” He highlighted the current operational challenges: “The systems are strained and are struggling to cope with the alarming loads of contaminants entering the systems due to upstream catchment activities and climatic factors.”
The utility has apologised for the inconvenience caused and reassured its clientele that its team of scientific engineers is working diligently to address the ongoing challenges