Lekwa municipality water supply problems ruffle Astral Foods

Astral Foods, South Africa's largest poultry producer, is facing challenges with the water supply in the Lekwa Local Municipality. The company has been operating in the area since 1972, relying on municipal water for its operations. However, in recent years, the water supply has deteriorated, leading to disruptions in Astral Foods' production process. The municipality, which used to provide five and a half million liters of water per day to the company, can now only supply around two million liters. As a result, Astral Foods has had to resort to trucking in water from an extraction point at the river, adding an additional cost of approximately two million rands per month to maintain normal production levels. This situation has not only put a strain on the company's operations but has also impacted its employees, with many having to make sacrifices due to the reduced capacity. Despite interim measures being put in place, including receiving three and a half million liters of raw water access from the municipality, Astral Foods is calling for a long-term solution to the water supply issue. The lack of a sustainable solution has frustrated the company, prompting them to explore alternative options such as securing their own water supply. Political accountability and responsibility for maintaining the infrastructure have also been called into question, with Astral Foods raising concerns about the effectiveness of the local government in addressing the issue. The company is currently engaged in legal action involving the presidency, provincial government, and the municipality to determine who is ultimately responsible for ensuring the water supply. While the immediate focus is on mitigating the impact on operations, Astral Foods is also concerned about the well-being of its employees, who have been affected by the water supply disruptions. The company's commitment to both its business and its workforce is evident in their efforts to find a sustainable solution to the ongoing crisis in the Lekwa Local Municipality.