- Load shedding has an effect on everything, from households to big businesses .
A resident of Kwaaiwater in Hermanus contacted Hermanus Times about raw sewage that was spilling into the sea, especially during load shedding.
“It’s dangerous and a health risk. It is summertime and the December holiday is on our doorstep. What will happen when the visitors flock to the beach?”
In September the Overstrand Municipality released the following statement: “With the recent move by Eskom to stages 5 and 6 of electricity load shedding, with periods of interruption of electricity supply of up to 4½ hours at a time, and up to 12 hours in a 24-hour period, the Overstrand’s water and sanitation infrastructure is coming under increasing pressure. Some sewerage pump stations that are not equipped with generators may spill during extended periods of load shedding. Warning signs will be erected whenever necessary.”
According to Municipal Manager Dean O’Neill, the Overstrand has implemented the following mitigation measures at this stage:. Most of the critical water and wastewater installations are equipped with standby generators, which are supplied with diesel continuously and are being monitored to ensure seamless switch-overs as far as possible.. Mobile generators are deployed at a few other sensitive water and wastewater installations.. Suction tankers are deployed at some sewerage pump stations in environmentally sensitive areas that are not equipped with generators yet.. Water and wastewater pump operations are maximised during periods between load shedding events.
“Unfortunately, not all installations are equipped with generators at this stage,” O’Neill stated. “Residents of some high lying areas may experience low water pressure and even water supply interruptions as a result of extended load shedding events, where reservoirs cannot be filled adequately during periods between load shedding, or where booster pump systems are out of operation during load shedding. Residents are requested to use water sparingly, as this will assist in, firstly, conserving reservoir levels and, secondly, reducing wastewater flows and pressure on sewerage pump stations. Overstrand Municipality is doing its utmost to manage the situation within its capacity and available resources.”