This Week in Potch WhatsApp Chats: Towers Pressure, Tree Drama & Traffic Alerts
- Karen Scheepers
- Sep 11
- 3 min read
5 – 11 September 2025
This week's community updates focus on water pressure problems, electrical outages, infrastructure work, and multiple emergency situations across Potchefstroom. Communication between residents, councillors, and service units provided insight into ongoing issues and attempted solutions.
Potchefstroom Towers: Water Pressure & Maintenance Concerns
Residents of Potchefstroom Towers were informed of persistent low water pressure, particularly during peak hours. Investigations revealed the following:
Water pressure fluctuates between 1.8 and 2 bar, falling short of the recommended 2–2.4 bar.
Aging pipe infrastructure shows rust buildup, which limits water flow.
Rooftop reservoirs are out of service, exacerbating the issue.
A pressure booster pump has been recommended to stabilize water across all six floors.
Costs for upgrades fall under the responsibility of the building’s owners and trustees, not the municipality.
Baywind and the trustees are expected to confirm timelines for further action.
Water Supply Disruptions
Significant water-related issues impacted multiple areas:
A major leak near Laerskool President Pretorius caused low pressure in P. Mokaba and Maree Street.
The leak was traced to a rusted hydrant connection that required a pipe replacement.
Spruit Street also experienced a temporary water outage due to this incident.
The water leak was resolved by early morning on 10 September.
Electricity Outages & Tree Cutting Confusion
Unplanned power outages frustrated residents in several areas:
Jeugd Street and surroundings experienced an extended blackout starting before 10:00 on 6 September.
The outage was caused by tree maintenance near power lines.
Communication issues led to confusion and frustration, with reports of manual tree cutting using hand saws.
Power was restored around 17:00, after over six hours of disruption.
Additional outages were also reported in Albert Nel Street, Ross Street (Industria), and Dyer Street.
Traffic Incidents and Safety Alerts
A road accident occurred at the corner of Govan Mbeki and Du Plooy Streets. Emergency services including Mooirivier and CBS were dispatched.
Another vehicle accident occurred near Nelson Mandela and Parys Avenue. Roadway was temporarily obstructed before clearance at 19:55 on 5 September.
A fatal accident was reported in the early hours of 11 September at Albert Lethuli and Hoffman Street.
Water Meter & Billing Complaints
Numerous complaints were raised regarding:
Inconsistent water meter readings.
High monthly water usage not matching household size or actual usage.
Faulty meters not being repaired despite repeated reports.
Long-standing issues not addressed by municipal billing departments.
Contact information for municipal billing and meter queries was shared to help resolve these concerns.
Noise, Speeding & Law Enforcement Gaps
Residents reported:
Ongoing illegal street racing and noise disturbances in the Lethuli area.
Complaints of limited police or traffic visibility in high-risk areas.
Mooirivier Protection Services were alerted but residents remain unsure of follow-up actions.
Infrastructure Update
The 315mm water pipeline from the purification plant to the Vyfhoek reservoir has been completed. Final site visits took place in coordination with the contractor, JB Marks Municipality, and provincial representatives.
Community Assistance & Information Sharing
Residents actively helped report electricity and water outages.
Emergency contacts and department extensions were circulated to improve direct communication.
Appreciation was expressed for teams cutting trees, replacing cables, and managing crises despite limited resources.
If you have a service delivery issue or emergency, remember to report it directly to the relevant department numbers. Your feedback helps maintain accountability and response times in Potchefstroom.
Final Thought
Increased activity on local WhatsApp groups continues to highlight service-related frustrations, safety alerts, and real-time coordination among residents. From pipe corrosion at Potch Towers and tree-cutting disruptions to water outages and serious accidents, group members have used these platforms to voice concerns, share updates, and offer assistance when possible. The conversations also underscore the growing demand for accountability, maintenance transparency, and better communication between municipal services and communities.
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