Additional trucks have been hired to deliver water to affected areas in Grahamstown after a major break in the pipeline at the Botha’s Hill reservoir forced engineers to close off the water supply from that facility.
Additional trucks have been hired to deliver water to affected areas in Grahamstown after a major break in the pipeline at the Botha’s Hill reservoir forced engineers to close off the water supply from that facility.
Botha's Hill, fed by Glen Melville Dam, north-east of Grahamstown, largely serves the eastern side of the city, where most of Makana Municipality's township areas are located.
In a media release dated 4 February and received this morning, municipal spokesperson Yoliswa Ramokolo said a combined Makana and Amatola Water team could only repair the leak only if they closed off the water supply from Botha's Hill reservoir.
The team discovered they needed to replace the pipe and it was ordered from East London, Ramokolo said.
"The new pipe was fitted and the line was opened. Unfortunately the pipe could not handle the pressure … so they had to close the line and continue working on the problem," Ramokolo said.
"The team repaired the pipe again and decided to partially open the outlet valve to allow the release of air."
The plan was to eventually open it fully, Ramokolo said. However, excessive pressure is still preventing the team from opening the supply and the team is still at the site, Ramokolo said.
They were building a concrete block around the pipe and laying a gabion mattress to hold the unstable ground around it.
Ramokolo said the municipality had contracted five additional trucks to deliver water to affected areas, added to the two Makana already has in operation.
The following is the water-delivery programme:
Truck 1: Fingo Village, delivering to schools as well.
Truck 2: All clinics – then assist in Joza.
Truck 3: Tantyi, Hlalani, Eluxolweni and tanks
Truck 4: Vukani (upper and lower), Newtown
Truck 5: Joza, Extensions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, including tanks at JD Dlepu Stadium
Truck 6: Kings View, Hooggenoeg, Vergenoeg and the surrounding areas.
Truck 7: Extensions 7, 8, 9 and 10 and Transit Camp.
"On behalf the Municipality, I wish to extend sincere apologies to the residents of Makana for the inconvenience caused and thank the community for their cooperation, patience and understanding," Ramokolo said.
We are doing everything in our [power to make sure]this unfortunate situation does not happen again and that plans are in place. "I also wish to express sincere gratitude to the ratepayers who have assisted others by sharing their water, which displayed the spirit of Ubuntu during this period," Ramokolo said.
