Efforts to secure a replacement valve for the faulty pump at James Kleynhans water treatment have failed and the need to engineer one from existing parts means water supply to the eastern parts of Grahamstown was shut off again this morning.
Efforts to secure a replacement valve for the faulty pump at James Kleynhans water treatment have failed and the need to engineer one from existing parts means water supply to the eastern parts of Grahamstown was shut off again this morning.
An update from Makana Municipality at 1.30pm today explained that this is because the faulty valve is custom made.
An earlier update explained that since Friday 1 July, teams from the Office of the Premier, the Department of Water and Sanitation as well as Amatola Water, which manages the municipality’s bulk supply, had been trying to source a replacement.
“This morning the pump station was switched off to use two valves from the pumps that are faulty and to refurbish this into one valve that can be used,” today’s update sent from the communications manager explained.
The pump station was expected to be in operation by 5pm with two pumps functioning again, provided no other challenges were experienced.
WHO IS AFFECTED AND WHY?
Grahamstown has two water systems. The east is supplied by water from the Orange River via Glen Melville Dam north-east of Grahamstown.
The James Kleynhans water treatment works carries water from there to Botha’s Ridge, Tantyi and Mayfield reservoirs.
Tantyi and Mayfield reservoirs serve Tantyi, Mayfield, upper Joza and Hlalani. Botha’s Ridge serves the other eastern areas of Grahamstown.
All these areas are directly affected by today’s shut-down.
The west of Grahamstown is supplied by local dams feeding into the Howieson’s Poort pump station. Water from there and other local sources is processed at the Waainek water treatment works, west of Grahamstown.
These areas are also affected by the shutdown. There are high-lying areas on the west of Grahamstown that are without water because of the low level of the intermediate reservoir at Waainek that feeds them..
Usually when the western reservoirs get low, water can be released from the James Kleynhans (east) system into them.
Because of an incident at the eastern pump station on Sunday 26 June, that has not been possible.
WHAT IS BEING DONE TO RECOVER THE SITUATION?
Extra water tankers have been brought into Grahamstown. There are now 10 delivering water to residents in Grahamstown east as well as parts of Grahamstown West that are also without water.
The municipal management put emergency protocols in place on Sunday 26 June to secure the assistance of provincial and national government departments and partner organisations. Water restrictions are already in place due to the drought.
HOW DID THE CURRENT SITUATION OCCUR?
On Sunday 26 June the pump station at James Kleynhans water treatment works was completely flooded. It took three days to restore the pump station to 60 percent of its normal capacity.
The recovery plan was slowed by a power outage in the early hours of Tuesday 28 June when the Waainek area west of Grahamstown experienced an electricity outage, affecting the pump station which feeds the western reservoirs.
The reservoirs took longer than expected to refill and it took 24 hours to resume the supply to some parts of Grahamstown West. With regard to the incident at the James Kleynhans pump station, acting municipal manager Riana Meiring said on Monday 27 June that the necessary disciplinary action had been taken with respect to the relevant officials.
WATER TRUCK DELIVERY POINTS
Water Delivery Trucks Schedule
Ward 2 Points
• Sithembiso
• Joza Street (Magopiyane/Street light)
• Nompondo (Danger station and Orphanage Tank and Dlepu Stadium Tank)
• Bluetooth tavern
• Ezibokweni
• Bra Pat (Street light)
Ward 3 and 4 Points
• Suncity (Dickerson Street)
• Scott's Farm (Aiken Street)
• Hooggenoeg (Tent area)
• Vergenoeg (Valley Road)
• Phaphamani
• Zolani
Ward 5 Points
• Extension 9 hall
• Crèche in Extension 8 main street
• Somi street
• Extension 10 from Hooggenoeg side and uPhahla side
• Transit camp (Taxi route Second shop)
Ward 6 and 11
• PA, Police station area
• Melisizwe
• Clinic
• KwaNodeki
• Ethembeni
• Emthathi Project
• Extension 4 kwaLuphuwana
• Extension 5 Sandi area and Miya shop
Ward 8 and 10
• A street
• KwaMandisa (fill tank)
• Mazizini
• Wisile School
• BB Zondani
• J-Street
• Xolani at O Street, Muza
• Tantyi Hall
• KwaKhaya
• Kwaphoyi
Ward 13
• Emqokolweni
• Rev Lolwana open space
• Emabhaceni
Ward 7 and 9
• Eluxolweni (fill tank)
• K street
• Middle of Hlalani and church
• Then go down to eFutheni side
FURTHER UPDATES
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Listen:
Tune into Radio Grahamstown at 102.1 FM or Rhodes Music Radio 89.7 FM
Call:
Engineers Department 046 603 6063 (office hours)
Customer Care 046 603 6134 (office hours)
Fire Department 046 622 4444 (after-hours emergency only)
