AfriForum’s emergency water point brings relief to Pretoria’s residents amid pressing water shortages

Barely a week after AfriForum’s Moreleta Park branch set up an emergency water point in this Pretoria suburb, efforts have been made to alleviate the pressing water shortage currently affecting the city’s residents. Within only a few hours, more than 4 300 litres of water were supplied to residents at this water point last night. The water point will be opened daily for residents experiencing water shortages.

Taps in large parts of the city have been running empty since the weekend due to Rand Water’s planned maintenance of its Mapleton and Palmiet Water Systems. Although the water utility company announced earlier this morning that the extensive repair work had been completed, it also warned on its Facebook page that it may take one to three days for water supply to be fully restored to low-lying areas, while it may take even longer in high-lying areas.

Last night, AfriForum’s Moreleta Park branch assisted dozens of residents in drawing water at its emergency water point in Waterkloof Glen, while water was also delivered to residents of the Bronberg Retirement Estate in Olympus.

According to Sampie Steinberg, Regional Head at AfriForum, the water shortage in the city is not over yet. “Although the public was informed of the planned repairs and many were able to make the necessary preparations, a prolonged period in which the taps run dry is a crisis in any household. The entire city is currently suffering due to the acute water shortages and it may take several more days before the water supply is fully restored. This situation highlights the need for emergency water points and the Moreleta Park branch will continue to provide this essential support to the community to help relieve the pressure,” explains Steinberg.

The Moreleta Park emergency water point is located at the Woodglen Complex on Rooigras Street, Waterkloof Glen. To efficiently assist the public in drawing water, the water point is open daily from 17:30 to 19:00. This water point has a capacity of 11 000 litres and is filled with borehole water.

AfriForum set up its first emergency water points in 2019 at the Pierneef Primary School in Pretoria. Since then, emergency water points have been installed nationwide, with the total number currently standing at more than 90. The capacity of these water points varies from 500 litres to 100 000 litres, and the current total capacity nationwide is approximately 720 500 litres.

Inquiries regarding the emergency water point can be directed to the Moreleta Park branch Chairperson, Dewald la Grange (081 566 7578).

Get involved with AfriForum’s Moreleta Park branch today. Visit www.wordlid.co.za for more information.