Dear staff and students

As you have been informed, a planned water supply shutdown in the larger Vanderbijlpark area has been scheduled by the Emfuleni Municipality from 30 May to 14 June 2025. This interruption is due to essential maintenance work required by the local municipality and will affect staff and students living on and around campus. In the interest of ensuring the continuation of university business, and specifically the May-June examination period, the university has put in place the following mitigating measures to support staff and students.

• Twenty JoJo tanks and water bladders filled with grey water will be placed across campus. Please refer to the map for the exact locations.
• Grey water available in these tanks across campus is NOT SAFE for human consumption and should only be used for ablution facilities. Once boiled, it can be used for personal hygiene, but not for consumption or cooking.
• Water from the dams on campus and from the river is NOT SAFE for human consumption, and no one must under any circumstance attempt to retrieve water from these sources for any purpose.
• Boilers, geysers and hot water urns located in campus buildings must be switched off.
• All water taps must remain closed to avoid unintended flooding when the water supply returns.
• Student support services will operate normally during the period, with this including Student Counselling and Development, the Campus Health Care Centre, Campus Protection Services, Facilities Department, cleaning services, etc.
• Line managers are requested to arrange with staff who can, and for services not needed on campus, to work remotely.
• Arrangements pertaining to the May-June examination period will continue as scheduled.

Ablution facilities:

• Only the ablution facilities located on the ground or basement floors of buildings will be available for use.
• A 1 x 210 litre drum containing grey water will be made available at each male and female ablution facility in buildings to collect water for flushing toilets. Smaller 20 litre buckets will also be available.
• The 210 litre drums will be refilled by the cartage team from bulk containers on campus (JoJo tanks and water bladders).
• Appointed cleaning staff will assist in distributing water to communal ablutions via the water bucket system and will ensure a clean and hygienic environment is maintained.
• A limited number of chemical toilets will be made available at examination venues.

Drinking water:

• A large supply of drinking water has been procured and will be made available to students and essential staff working on campus.
• Bottled (500ml) drinking water will be available at examination venues for staff and students.

The following university residences will be fully affected by the water interruption, with no supply of water through the main lines and taps:

• Faranani
• Jasmyn
• Horizon
• Kumba
• Thuthuka
• Vergelegen

Students residing in the above-mentioned residences must take note of the following:

• A 1 x 5 litre water bottle will be issued per student every third day.
• A plastic bucket will be available to be used for grey water in toilets.
• JoJo tanks will be stationed at each university residence located on campus where residents can collect grey water.
• Both items (water bottle and plastic bucket) must be collected by each resident form your house parent and residence officer at the residence itself. Kindly contact these individuals for the exact time and date when the items will be available.

The following university residences will be partially affected by the water interruption; however, the water supply will be limited, and residents are encouraged to use water sparingly:

• Bohlale
• Moahi
• Ebukhosini
• Longfellow

Non-residents are not permitted to access or use the emergency water resources made available for a particular university residence.

The following arrangements will apply to students residing in private accredited and non-accredited accommodation:

• Accredited accommodation service providers were requested to make provision for adequate backup water arrangements at their facilities.
• They were requested to provide students with drinking water and water for flushing toilets and basic hygiene needs.

• Use water sparingly and to cooperate fully with the implemented arrangements to ensure that everyone has access to essential water resources.
• Report any irregular conduct pertaining to the sale of water to students or staff, i.e., paying excessive amounts to access water for drinking or sanitary purposes.

Maintenance and Facilities

1. Ms Marietjie van der Ryst: 016 910 3142 / marietjie.vanderryst@nwu.ac.za
2. Mr Cwenga Jezile: 016 910 3214
3. Ms Mmabore Masiela: 016 910 3581
4. After hours: Control room - 016 910 3339

Student Life

1. Mr Chris Williams: 55428606@nwu.ac.za
2. Ms Makhotso Mosikidi: makhotso.mosikidi@nwu.ac.za

Campus Health Care Centre

1. Ms Nokuthula Malinga: 016 910 3278 / nokuthula.malinga@nwu.ac.za

Residences

1. Mr Pola Mmapulana: 016 910 3278 / pola.mmapulana@nwu.ac.za
2. Mr Lungile Masango: 016 910 3035 / lungile.masango@nwu.ac.za

Remember, you can access the map indicating the location of grey water storage systems across campus HERE.

Kind regards

Prof Sibusiso Chalufu
Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Vanderbijlpark Campus Operations