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Bloemfontein - The University of the Free State (UFS) is building an emergency water reservoir to provide its Bloemfontein campus with water when there is a shortage.
"The emergency reservoir is currently under construction on the western part of the Bloemfontein campus, adjacent to the Animal Research Unit," said Lacea Loader, director of communication and brand management.
"It will be used together with the current 250mm-diameter pipe that provides water to the campus. The reservoirs will supply the pipe with water, as and when required, during times of municipal service disruption."
The reservoirs cost about R4m.
Albie Louw, chief officer for physical planning at UFS said the reservoirs would provide water only for day-to-day human consumption. It would not be used for irrigation.
Louw said the basis of their planning was based on figures for monthly consumption during peak periods in 2014.
"When water supply to the campus is interrupted, every aspect of life on campus is affected. In addition to the drinking water and sanitary requirements for residences and buildings, laboratories and restaurants are also [affected]."
Loader said according to their planning, the project would be completed "by the end of July".
Similar reservoirs have also been planned for the UFS’s South and Qwaqwa campuses.
