Most of the reservoirs in Polokwane, Limpopo are empty and the water levels at the remaining few are running critically low, the municipality said on Saturday.

“The shortage is caused by rapid increase in consumption during the heat wave,” spokesperson Tidimalo Chuene said.

Since the early hours of Saturday morning the Lepelle Northern Water’s Ebenezer plant was not fully operational due to an electrical fault in the Tzaneen area, which also contributed to the shortage, Chuene said.

“The fault was fixed and the plant is being restarted. It will, however, take some time for reservoirs to fill up enough water for normal supply to resume in all affected areas.”

Chuene advised residents to limit their water usage for immediate household needs to avoid a further decline in its availability.

The affected areas included Flora Park, Serala View, Ster Park, Bendor and parts of Seshego, Chuene said. Water tankers were being deployed to the affected areas.

Those who had access to transport could also make use of the water treatment plants at Dalmada, along the R71 to Mankweng and Seshego Zone 4, between 06:00 and 22:00 daily, Chuene said.

–News24wire ( Mpho Raborife, News24)