Since 1973 when the Welbedacht Dam was completed, it has lost more than 90 % of its storage capacity because of high siltation rates.
Mangaung Metro Municipality
Water in Mangaung – seeking solutions
The Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality( MMM) has witnessed serious water interruptions, water shortages, and resulting restrictions over the past few years— challenges that are making consistent supply head for disaster if action is not taken soon.
Mainly three systems are serving Mangaung, namely, the Welbedacht / Knellpoort system, Rustfontein Dam, and Mockes Dam.
Bloemfontein receives water from two sources: Bloem Water, which supplies 70 % of the city’ s water, and the municipality’ s Maselspoort Water Treatment Works, which directly abstracts the remaining 30 % from the Modder River.
The overall metro comprises three towns, that of Bloemfontein, Thaba Nchu, and Botshabelo. The daily water consumption is 145Ml, 20Ml, and 30Ml for the three towns, respectively. In addition, the Naledi Local Municipality was incorporated into the metro after the local government elections in August 2016, adding to daily demand.
The MMM includes approximately 230 000 households, consisting of 720 000 users. In Bloemfontein, a greater population and extensive commercial activities result in water consumption of almost three times that of Thaba Nchu and Botshabelo.
“ Mangaung, as the economic hub of the Free State province, has been affected by serious water shortages,
12 Water Sewage & Effluent March / April 2017