Rand Water’s Zuikerbosch Water Treatment Plant suffered a power disruption due to the severe Pretoria storm that struck around midnight on Tuesday, 19 September 2023.
Zuikerbosch plant trips due to Pretoria storm: These areas will be affected
In a statement, Rand Water explained that attempts to restart the plant exposed faults along the overhead power lines supplying the auxiliary plant, resulting in a significant loss of water supply, estimated at 2 000 million litres per day.
Consequently, the power failure has had widespread repercussions, affecting all municipalities supplied by the Zuikerbosch Water Treatment Plant.
The following areas are anticipated to experience water supply disruptions:
Palmiet System:
- Klipriviersberg
- Klipfontein
- Brakfontein
- Germiston
- Northridge
- Haartebeeshoek
Mapleton:
- Brakpan
- Vlakfontein
- Selcourt
- Wildebeestfontein
- Stompiesfontein
Eikenhof:
- Meredale
- Waterval
Moreover, Rand Water emphasised that the unnatural event occurred at a time when the water supply systems were already under strain due to high consumption.
“Rand Water urges customers to adopt water saving measures to reduce high consumption,” the water supplier noted.
In parallel developments, Pretoria residents are currently grappling with the aftermath of a series of thunderstorms that swept through the area on Tuesday evening.
These storms came on the heels of a prior warning issued by the South African Weather Service (SAWS) regarding the arrival of the first spring thunderstorms across the eastern regions of the country.
As residents endure the consequences of this tempestuous weather, reports have emerged detailing structural damage in various parts of Pretoria, with several areas witnessing the uprooting of trees.
Notably, the storm’s impact was not confined to Pretoria alone, as it extended its reach to Koster and Rustenburg, where it wreaked havoc.
In an unexpected twist of weather fortunes, SAWS has forecasted favourable conditions for the following day, with Wednesday expected to bring clear skies and maximum temperatures reaching 29 degrees Celsius.