FOLLOW-UP: Back-up generator keeps taps running
The installation of the back-up system is considered a win, for an area plagued by lengthy water interruption.
Despite initial teething problems, the back-up generator at the Northmead pump station is bringing much-needed reprieve for the city’s water woes.
Following several applications presented to the City of Ekurhuleni Department of Water and Sanitation, they installed a 500 kVA back-up generator in July at the Great North Road pump station to power the city’s existing water towers in Hospital Road.
The installation followed months of lengthy water interruptions plaguing the city’s northern suburbs, including Farrarmere, Northmead, Brentwood Park, parts of Rynfield and Goedeburg.
“The installation of the generator and an inverter powering the telematics is a win for the community,” said Ward 27 Clr Lornette Joseph.
“Increased levels of load-shedding have primarily to blame for the water towers running dramatically low, causing the taps to run dry.
“Further lengthy supply outages were as a result of the water tower pumps needing to be switched off to reach optimal storage levels.”
Conducting a routine visit to the pump station, Ward 28 Clr Mary Goby said problems did creep up following its installation two months ago, leading to partial outages, with many residents questioning the system’s efficiency.
“With the installation, we all hoped this would be the answer to our water problems and when outages occurred, residents were understandably enraged,” said Goby.
“However, teams from both the water and sanitation and maintenance departments were prompt to respond in troubleshooting the system in balancing the switch-over, which resulted in a seamless transition.”
With the new generator seemingly being the miracle solution to the city’s water supply crisis, some residents raised concerns about Ekurhuleni’s ability to ensure that the system is maintained and that fuel levels are continuously monitored.
Responding to the councillors’ enquiries, the head of the department, Thokozani Maseko stated that R75 228 008 has been budgeted for the 23/24 financial year for costs associated with the operation and maintenance of pump stations throughout the metro.
He said they appointed contractors to maintain the systems, including monitoring and replenishing fuel levels.
With an 830l capacity, Maseko indicated a total of 42l of fuel is consumed per hour, with a total cost of R10 567 per day, should load-shedding Stage Six be implemented for up to 10 hours.
Although confident that the latest development within the water supply system is a positive step in ensuring uninterrupted services to residents and businesses, Joseph and Goby cautioned that ensuring that reservoir levels remain stable, responsible citizenship is needed to ensure that resources are available to all at a turn of a tap.
“The ongoing water crisis has prompted many residents and businesses to invest in water storage systems,” said Joseph.
“However, we request that in the event of interruptions, which we are sure will become dramatically less frequent, owners of these systems delay the supplementation of their tanks until the stabilisation of the system, ensuring that services have been restored to all properties.
“We realise this is not ideal. However, refilling depleted tanks could lead to neighbouring properties not receiving services as they become available.”
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