WATCH: Generator finally being installed at Northmead water tower

Foundations are being dug and teams are on site gearing up to finally install the long-awaited generator at the Northmead water tower.

Celebrating this victory for the Benoni community at large, Ward 27 Clr Lornette Joseph was on site as teams broke ground, sharing the news on her service delivery groups.

For the past three years, taps have continuously run dry throughout the city’s high-laying suburbs including Rynfield, Northmead, Farrarmere and Brentwood Park.

This was, according to the Ekurhuleni metro’s Department of Water and Sanitation, a direct result of load-shedding and continuous unscheduled power outages affecting the water tower, in Hospital Street’s pumps.

In June 2022, the CoE’s head of the department agreed to a feasibility study to be conducted into having a generator installed. In August it was found to be feasible, however, the installation process did not transpire.

In an attempt to have their concerns heard and the necessary action taken, Joseph submitted a petition to the CoE, signed by 4 000 frustrated residents, while further submissions were made in parliament, on April 21, by MP Haseena Ismail, on behalf of affected communities.

Contained in the submission, Ismial requested the state’s plan to assist Gauteng and other provinces experiencing major water shortages and residents continuously having to suffer with either extremely low water pressure or no water at all, to ensure that Rand Water has the additional funds for upgrading and improving water infrastructure.

Minister of water and sanitation, Senzo Mchunu, responded by saying that the water shortages experienced particularly in Gauteng, could largely be attributed to unstable electricity supply as well as incidents of vandalism.

“Rand Water has always maintained that their infrastructure capacity is sufficient to meet the current demand,” said Mchunu.

“Nevertheless, the utility has ring-fenced R42b to rehabilitate and augment its infrastructure. This is sufficient funding for these programmes and therefore, does not require additional government funding.”

Responding to questions posed by Joseph during the ordinary council meeting, held at the Council Chambers in Germiston on May 25, the MMC for Water, Sanitation and Energy, Leshaka Manamela, confirmed that within current budget limits the installation of back-up generation capacity at the water tower will be completed by September.

“He went on to say that the unit had been procured at an estimated cost of R800 000 excluding VAT while the installation costs are estimated at an additional R400 000,” said Joseph.

“It was further confirmed that upon completion of the new R44m water tower, an additional generator will be installed to ensure that stable water supply is guaranteed.”

In a statement received from the metro’s spokesperson, Zweli Dlamini, the concrete roof of the tower was cast on May 4.

“The project is still within budget,” he said.

“The remaining scope of work undertaken by the contractor includes testing the reservoir, construction of the guardhouse, installing inlet, outlet, and overflow as well as scouring chambers and completing associated pipework. This will be done by the end of September.”

Joseph said that the new generator system should come into full effect by the end of July, however, contractors are confident that it may happen sooner.

“As the councillor for the ward, I am proud to see our collective efforts finally paying off. It shows that through strong will, combined and relentless effort we can effect real change,” she said.

“I would like to thank the residents, who added their support throughout this process by rallying behind me. Without you, this would not have been possible.”

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