Water supply under pressure after lightning hits pump stations

Water disruptions may affect Pietermaritzburg and surrounding areas after several water pump stations were struck by lightning on the weekend. Umgeni-uThukela Water says Mill Falls, Groenekloof and Mpolweni pump stations were affected. These pump stations supply the areas of Howick, Howick West, Mpophomeni, Hilton, Vulindlela, Mshwathi, Montebello, and Ozwatini.

UUW said its maintenance team is working on the electrical equipment at the various pump stations and has yet to determine the time frames for getting the pump stations running. This storm damage to critical infrastructure follows another storm earlier this month, which left Mpophomeni residents spending their weekend repairing shattered windows and patching damaged roofs after a hailstorm, accompanied by strong winds, tore through the township.