By Sihle Mavuso
One of the biggest water treatment plants in northern KwaZulu-Natal has been temporarily closed, sparking concerns that it could lead to a water shortage.
The huge plant serves the township of Ezakheni, the most densely populated township in the industrial town of Ladysmith which is home to thousands of people.
The closure of the eZakheni Water Works Plant was announced on Monday by the IFP-run Uthukela district municipality.
The beleaguered municipality, which has been under the control of an administrator for the past few years, said the closure was triggered by “a delay in the delivery of chemicals to run the plant”.
“We will keep the community updated. Apologies for the inconvenience caused,” the municipality said in a statement.
It did not say when it expected to have the chemicals it needs to get the water treatment plant running again.
Late last week the municipality had to scramble to test water delivered by water tankers in the township of Pieters after residents complained that the water was visibly dirty.
The water has since been discarded while samples have been taken for laboratory tests to determine whether or not the chlorine in the water was required.
Pictured above: A water crisis is looming in the industrial centre of Ladysmith.
Source: Facebook
