There have been serious water shortages across various parts of town over the weekend and have persisted throughout the week.
There have been serious water shortages across various parts of town over the weekend and have persisted throughout the week.
Municipal Manager, Ntombi Baart released a statement on Wednesday announcing that “the water level has reached a point where the municipality cannot provide to the industrial area and some other high lying areas with water from Waainek”.
The public notice continues to say that there is currently only one water pump functioning at James Kleinhans Dam which is causing strain on the system’s ability to supply water to areas usually supplied by Waainek.
The contracted technicians are presently on site trying to fix the faulty pump and to link the supply back up. Businesses and residents have been negatively affected by the cuts.
Gerrie Botha, general manager of Grahamstown Ostrich Abattoir (GOA) says that they had to close down yesterday and today because of the lack of water.
“On Monday we came to work and there was no water, so we’ve been using water from our storage tanks which has also run out.”
Botha says that to run the abattoir, he needs approximately 40 000 litres to 60 000 litres of water a day. “No-one talks in the municipality.
There was no forewarning. They should have warned us, and given us plans to cope with the cuts.” Werner Raubenheimer, manager Integrated Meat Processors of the Eastern Cape (Impec), has the same complaints.
“The municipality should have had an action plan, and if there was one, when is it kicking in?” Raubenheimer understands that the Eastern Cape is a drought-stricken area, but that there should have been more communication at an earlier date between the municipality and the people and businesses of Grahamstown.
If there is no water, then there is no production. “But we’re all affected, we’re all in the same boat, people and businesses. But people come first, then industries.”
Impec managed to get 7 000 litres of water through the municipality on Thursday morning to carry out the basic procedures at the plant. For a full production, they need approximately 20 000 litres.
Raubenheimer believes that now is the time to work together with the municipality in order to cope with the situation. With Scifest Africa in full swing, there are also worries about the water cuts affecting its smooth running.
Cath Walters, Media Officer for Scifest, reported that they were not receiving water yesterday morning, but immediately contacted the fire department who were able to deliver water to the 1820 Settlers Monument.
“Luckily we’re up and running again.” Grahamstown’s Military Base is also suffering from the water cuts. Communications Officer, Roydan Vlotman, reported that there is no water even to carry out the bare necessities.
“This has placed major restrictions on things such as ablution facilities, bathing and cooking.” When Grocott’s Mail attempted to contact Baart, she was not available for further comment.
