It would take just two consecutive days of Stage 4 load shedding at two of its most sensitive pumping stations to lead to a water shortage, Gauteng’s bulk water supplier Rand Water says.
Until this week Stage 4 electricity rationing was almost unheard of, but Eskom implemented the measure on both Sunday and Monday, with no clear answers on when it would be able to fully meet demand again.
That makes water shedding a distinct possibility, even though Gauteng dam levels are high, with the Vaal Dam at 71% and the Sterkfontein dam 93.9% full.
Reservoirs are already below the ideal 60% to 80% level due to the recent heatwave and capacity constraints, spokesperson Justice Mohale said in response to Business Insider questions.
“Any disturbance with load shedding therefore affects pumping which is designed as a 24 hour continuous operation.”
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