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    You are at:Home»OUR TOWN»Municipality»Leaks spring up on both eastern and western sides as water emergency deepens
    Municipality

    Leaks spring up on both eastern and western sides as water emergency deepens

    Speaker plans to declare a 'state of disaster' and launch a Joint Operations Committee to tackle the crisis
    Rod AmnerBy Rod AmnerNovember 12, 2022Updated:November 12, 2022No Comments2 Mins Read
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    The leak near Howieson's Poort Dam has sprung up again. Photo: Geoff Embling, Ward 4 Service Delivery WhatsApp group

    By ROD AMNER

    Hope for the normalisation of Makhanda’s water supply has again dissolved after another leak was discovered on the outlet valve from Botha’s Hill reservoirs into the transfer line and off-takes, scuppering the planned water-on day on Saturday, 12 November.

    The leak was announced during a 2.5-hour water crisis meeting in City Hall on Friday, 11 November, attended by Makana Speaker Mthuthezeli Matyumza, infrastructure director Asanda Gidana, water manager Gubevu Maduna, ward councillors and ward committee members, and members of the public.

    To compound the crisis, Ward 4 councillor Geoff Embling reported on Saturday that the recently ‘fixed’ leak near Howieson’s Poort Dam had broken again. In addition, the air valve on the line “is leaking much worse now,” Embling said.

    The leak on the airlock at Howieson’s Poort Dam. Photo: Geoff Embling, Ward 4 Service Delivery WhatsApp group

    This means the city’s water supply has been compromised on both the western and eastern sides.

    The water was due to open on Saturday, 12 November. The municipal water team is assessing the extent of the damage on the outlet valve from Botha’s Hill reservoirs. “Due to high pressure, it is taking longer than anticipated,” a Makana Municipality communique said.

    “The water supply will not be possible before fixing this major leak. The team will continuously observe the situation and attend to the leak as soon as the water subsides,” the message said.

    Grocott’s Mail will soon provide a full report on Friday’s meeting and provides updates as soon as they are available.

    Ward councillors, ward committee members and community members at the water crisis meeting at City Hall on Friday. Photo: Rod Amner
    Makana water manager Gubevu Maduna explains technical points related to the ongoing water crisis at the emergency meeting at City Hall on Friday. Photo: Rod Amner
    Ward committee member Lena May makes a point at the water crisis meeting at City Hall on Friday. Photo: Rod Amner
    Retired engineer Peter Sturrock looks for answers at the water crisis meeting held in City Hall on Friday. Photo: Rod Amner
    Scenes from the 2.5-hour water crisis meeting at City Hall on Friday, 11 November.
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    Rod Amner
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