Power crisis has knock-on effects
Power outages have a domino effect on the sewer system pumps used to generate water supply to keep the system operational.
WHILE Eskom’s abrupt power interruptions leave many Zululand residents infuriated, these constraints also have a domino effect on the sewer system pumps used to generate water supply to keep the system operational.
The uMhlathuze Municipality operates 62 sewer pump stations and five waste water treatment works (eSikhaleni, Empangeni, Arboretum, Alton, Vulindlela).
In all these works there is no redundancy systems insofar as power supply is concerned, which leads to considerable problems caused by scheduled, and sometimes unscheduled, load shedding.
City of uMhlathuze’s Deputy Manager for Infrastructure and Technical Services (Water and Sanitation), Thembinkosi Zondi, said each load shedding occurrence results in the municipality being unable to deliver water services at required levels.
‘The recent load shedding incidents which were triggered by the collapse of the coal storage silo at Majuba Power Station, have had negative effects in the delivery of basic services within the municipal jurisdiction.
‘From an operations point of view, it takes a considerable amount of time to restore reservoir water levels to optimum requirements’.
‘The load shedding will also result in sewer overflows. It normally takes an hour to reset level controls, and in some cases the damage to the environment could have long-term effects,’ he added.
Although the municipality can make use of water tankers in extreme cases of load shedding, this temporary solution is expensive and has a limited capacity to supply water in adequate quantities.
‘In respect of financial losses, the municipality invariably incurs a considerable amount of expenses’.
‘Notwithstanding the above, the municipality is subjected to social and civil instability owing to poor service delivery as a result of the interruption of power supply from the Eskom grid,’ Zondi said.
The municipality stresses the need for continuous and consistent communication with affected customers via the municipal Call Centre and/or Technical Operating Centre (TOC) during power interruption windows, and advises residents to make use of the municipality’s 24-hour toll free number 0800 222 827.
