A large number of Grahamstown residents have been affected by water cuts in the past two days. Many have been without any water in their homes, while others have had to make do with low pressure in their pipes. Pressed for an explanation, the municipality said there was a problem with the James Kleynhans water treatment plant.
A large number of Grahamstown residents have been affected by water cuts in the past two days. Many have been without any water in their homes, while others have had to make do with low pressure in their pipes. Pressed for an explanation, the municipality said there was a problem with the James Kleynhans water treatment plant.
Director for Technical and Infrastructure services Thembinkosi Myalato said the water outages were caused by a problem in the mechanism controlling the outlet-flow at the dam.
The computer system that controls the opening and closing of the valves had a problem. We have called in a IT company from Port Elizabeth to come and fix the problem for us. The water should be back by the end of today (yesterday), said Myalato.
The dam's rate of flow is measured in per-second cumecs (PSC) and is monitored by the on-site computer system.
Myalato confirmed that areas without water yesterday were Extension 9, Phumlani Extension 2 and 3, Xolani, Nompondo, Westhill and Sunnyside. In some areas the water pressure was very low.
Residents in the affected areas were in the dark as to when the water would be back. None had been warned of the cuts beforehand. Many had to make alternative arrangements to get water – some trekking to the spring; others visiting friends and relatives who were not affected.
Extension 9 resident Vezithemba Zantsi told Grocott's Mail that the water had been off there since the early hours of yesterday. He said they couldn't even use the toilet because there was no water.
We usually go to Extension 8 or Transit Camp to get water when we don't have it here, Zantsi said.
By midday yesterday, the affected areas were still without water.
Xolani resident Nkululeko Tyota said his family had been unable to cook or wash and they had no idea when the water supply would return.
Extension 5 resident, Mbulelo Sokanyile, said his mother had been forced to buy water. He said he'd been lucky because he'd woken up before the water was cut off.
It's a problem because we have big dogs that need water every day, Sokanyile said.
Myalato said the problem with the PSC monitor had started early yesterday morning. Extension 9, Phumlani Extension 2 and 3, Xolani and Nompondo had been affected by this technical problem.
They were still investigating the problem with Sunnyside and Westhill, however. We don't know yet what the problem is with those areas, because their water comes from the Waainek Treatment Plant. Our engineers are on site, investigating the problem, Myalato said. We are sure that the water will be back by end of today.
