More security for problematic water tower

In the July 3 edition of the NEWS, ward 92 councillor, Clr Graham Gersbach, insisted council give him answers as to why hundreds of northern Germiston residents have to endure frequent and long periods without water and power.
According to Clr Gersbach, residents were told at the beginning of March that water outages accompanying power outages would be something of the past.
By the end of March electrical cables at the water pump station, including cables from the back-up generator, had been stolen.
“During 2012 there were numerous instances when the back-up generator did not fulfil its function due to stolen diesel, a stolen battery, incorrect cabling, stolen cables and the generator not coming on automatically,” Clr Gersbach said.
Spokesperson for the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM), Mr Samuel Modiba, said electric pump motors are directly connected to electricity supplying the area.

“When power goes off, the motor stops working. When pumps stop working, there is no water supply into the tower and eventually the tower goes empty resulting in water outages in the area,” Mr Modiba said.

He added that a contractor had been appointed to replace the stolen cables.
Work was expected to be completed by June 28.
In an attempt to ensure there are no future break-ins at the property, the EMM reinforced the locking mechanism at the front door, closed the back door with brickwork and installed burglar proofing on windows.
“We have also installed razor wire all around the fence and installed an alarm system,” Mr Modiba said.
At the time of going to print comment from the electricity department was still outstanding on questions asked by the NEWS.