Load-shedding impact the provision of water services

We remind residents and businesses to be water wise at all times, especially during prolonged high stages of Eskom load-shedding. The prolonged high stages of Eskom load-shedding, that we are currently experiencing, has a major effect on our water and sanitation service operations. The disruption of the electrical supply due to load-shedding results in the shut down of some water treatment plants and water pump stations . This creates a challenge with our water treatment processes and the ability to convey drinking water to and from reservoirs to areas across Langeberg Municipality. Some areas may experience low to no water pressure. It can also cause some sewage pump stations to shut down, occasionally resulting in sewage spills. During load-shedding water cannot be pumped to the treatment works and reservoirs and the system struggle to return water levels to reach the day-to-day demand, before loadshedding starts again. Most domestic water usage ends up in our sewerage system. It is therefore imperative that, during the periods of load-shedding, you minimise your water use. This will reduce the strain on the reservoirs and assist the municipality. "Our team is doing all they can to maintain supply, but we also need our residents to help us during this time by using less water," says Carel Posthumus, Manager Civil Engineering Services Although water restrictions are not implemented, we need everyone to do their part by using water wisely, fixing leaks and following these permanent water-saving rules: 1. Turn off taps while washing, brushing, shaving, etc. 2. Take shorter showers: instead of a bath, will use a third of the water, saving up to 400 litres a week. Showering could use up to 20 litres of water per minute. Close the tap, soap up, then turn it back on to rinse 3. Use Grey Water (water from water from baths, showers and washing) to: • flush your toilet • wash your car • wash your floors • water your garden 4. Do not hose down hard-surfaced or paved areas with municipal drinking water. 5. Save a flush and install a water saving toilet flush system 6. Wash only full loads of clothes and dishes 7. Cover swimming pools to avoid evaporation when not in use. 8. Water garden before 09:00 or after 18:00 9. Fix leaking taps, pipes and toilets. Check your water fittings and pipes regularly for leaks. Residents can learn how to do so in the table below. HOW RESIDENTS CAN FIND AND FIX LEAKS QUICKLY AND EFFECTIVELY Steps to check for leaks on the property: · Step 1: Stop all water use. Close all the taps on the property and do not flush the toilet. · Step 2: Check and record the water meter reading. · Step 3: Wait for at least 15 minutes and take another reading. Make sure that nobody has opened a tap or flushed the toilet since the meter reading was taken. · Step 4: If there is a difference, then the leak will have to be fixed. If the number on the meter has increased, then it means that a leak has been detected and fast action will need to be taken. · Step 5: Unless it is a simple DIY job, residents are encouraged to call a plumber to fix the leak. Three simple tests to detect a toilet leak: · Listen for the water trickling into the toilet bowl. · Press a piece of toilet paper against the inside back surface of the bowl. If it gets wet, you probably have a leak. · Put 15 drops of food colouring into the toilet cistern. If after 15 minutes the water in the toilet bowl has changed colour, then there is a leak. If you cannot afford to call a plumber to fix a serious toilet problem, use the little stopcock/angle valve tap at the base of the toilet to keep it turned off between flushes. Report water misuse & leakages to 0860 88 11 11 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.