Cape Town - About 1500 households were left without water in Dysselsdorp and the rural areas east of Oudtshoorn on Monday, after an Eskom transformer which supplies power to the local purification works caught fire and was destroyed.
The affected areas include Rooiheuwel, Vlakteplaas, Middelplaas, and Oudemuragie. The Oudtshoorn Municipality said Eskom had a team on its way from Cape Town to install a new transformer.
“Residents of Dysselsdorp and the rural areas east of Oudtshoorn will be without water due to a damaged Eskom transformer. The 500 KVA transformer which supplies the Dysselsdorp purification works with power caught fire earlier (yesterday) and was destroyed.
“Oudtshoorn Municipality is in contact with the office of the provincial minister of local government to ask for emergency assistance.
“Residents are warned that the supply of water to Dysselsdorp and some of the eastern rural areas will be cut off during the day.
We urge residents to use available water sparingly.
“The municipality will arrange water tankers as an interim measure.”
Eskom confirmed a mini-substation caught fire due to storm damage.
“Only the water treatment plant is affected. The estimated time for electricity restoration is about 6pm (today).”
MEC for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning Anton Bredell’s spokesperson Wouter Kriel said a disaster management centre was in contact with Eskom to see that the transformer was repaired as soon as possible.
“We are aware of the transformer that was damaged, affecting water supply to Dysselsdorp as well as the rural communities of Rooiheuwel, Vlakteplaas, Middelplaas and Oudemuragi.”
Cape Times