Hessequa Municipality anticipates challenges with the supply of clean water in the towns of Heidelberg and Slangrivier until Saturday, 02 December 2023.
Heidelberg has storage capacity of 2.2 ML. The current levels of the reservoirs stand at 10%.
What gave rise to this enormous water challenge, is that Overberg Water, the water authority for Heidelberg, did not run their plant on the weekend of 25 November (during loadshedding).
When the water was finally released from their plant, it was dirty and contaminated the clean water in the Municipal water system.
On Monday, 27 November further delays were experienced due to a main pipeline break at Overberg Water.
Hessequa is receiving assistance from George and Overstrand Municipalities who have sent water trucks to assist with providing water to the affected communities. Eight (8) trucks with a total capacity of 79 000 litres are driven from Riversdal to Heidelberg and Slangrivier.
Overberg Water started delivering water from 06.00 am this morning at a rate of 700 litres per minute, which is pumped directly within the reticulation system to Heidelberg Oosdorp. The reservoir that supplies the Heidelberg Wesdorp (Skoolkop) with water is currently being cleaned. Households in this part of town are served by water trucks.
As soon as the cleaning of the Skoolkop reservoir is completed, the supply from Overberg Water to the reservoir will be switched, the reticulation network will be flushed and households will then be directly supplied with water via the network.
Residents can contact 028 713 7994 or 028 713 7995 (available 24 hours) if they have any queries in this regard. The community is requested to use water sparingly.
