Komatipoort still without water supply

KOMATIPOORT – Last week Komatipoort again was left without water. The convener of the Nkomazi East Combined Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Association (NECCTA ) Mr Jan Engelbrecht, called upon the municipal manager to himself be available to inspect the cause of the problem.

At very short notice the municipal manager, Mr. Daniel Ngwenya himself, visited Komatipoort, there to meet John O’reilly, responsible in the Neccta management team for the infrastructural affairs.

On his arrival the municipal manager discovered what Neccta has disclosed to his management over years, and it was self-evident simple logic, and action, are all required for permanent solutions. It was clear the main pump broke and could not be easily repaired, whereas the backup pump didn’t work (maintenance?).

Whilst on site, O’Reilly and Engelbrecht of Neccta disclosed to the municipal manager the availability of a backup system, a solution that merely demanded the approval of municipality, a private sector initiative, and more than three years old, yet not implemented. This backup solution comprises of the connection of the Kumbaku Gholf course pump system via connections already prepared for these purposes, by TSB, to the existing municipal system.

The solution originated already longer than two years ago from private sector, but municipality then declined the offer to connect this system to the municipal system. The Municipal Manager, according to Engelbrecht, shook his head in disbelief, and immediately approved the connection.

According to Neccta, the municipal manager on site made decisions to resolve the crises on a permanent basis. As requested and proposed by Neccta’s representatives Engelbrecht and O’Reilly, the municipal manager immediately instructed his administration to buy a new pump to be introduced at the Komati River.

He then disclosed to the Neccta representatives that he has already commanded the administration to rewire and overhaul the existing 90KVA pump, to be introduced to the Crocodile River pump station. Electric cables and connections have already been ordered to link up the Crocodile pump station with the water reticulation system.

Essentially, if all the above are done, this certainly is an achievement after close to 8 years, but more so after at least the past seven years of pleas from private sector and the taxpayers, and ample frustration and work and energy losses, and welcomed.

The implication would be that a working motor at the Komati River would feed water to the purification site and reservoirs, and should the Sonefe line (supply line for Suid-dorp and the Komati retail centre) be dysfunctional, but the main town still enjoys electricity supply, then the Crocodile River pump station could be started up to supply water to the town.

Should the Komati River pump station for one or the other reason be defective, then the private sector solution offered by the combination of the Kumbaku Gholf Course and TSB could be used to introduce water into the water reticulation network.

This at long last brings permanent solutions for the water crises. This week On Monday, Komatipoort was again left without water. This time it was again as a consequence of the Sonefe line not functioning.

Corridor Gazette already reported that Neccta had a meeting with the full management of Municipality as well as the full management of Eskom, discussing this subject, and where Eskom committed themselves that Komatipoort within a period of four to five months would have adequate bulk electricity, as an upgrade will be done.

During that meeting, Eskom confirmed that they do possess over sufficient bulk supply, and it was a matter of connection. On Monday, Engelbrecht petitioned to the Municipal Manager to request Eskom to expedite the upgrade, so that the town would not be left without water ever again if the two feeding basis are both operational.

When questioned about time lines, the municipal manager indicated that by the end of November both the Komati as well as the Crocodile pump stations will be operational, and would serve to feed water into the reticulation network. Engelbrecht applauded the municipal manager for his direct involvement and for taking decisions and expediting processes, those having been in demand since 2007.

The remaining challenges would be to see whether municipality could also ensure proper maintenance of these systems, and whether the municipal manager and his administration could remain as committed as he demonstrated over the past three weeks.

The municipal manager also noticed that a solution tendered by O’Reilly, after having consulted with farm owners who are well experienced in water pump stations, that the elevation of the retaining walls in the Komati River, in a close proximity of the low water bridge, could significantly contribute to availability of water at all times.

The municipal manager already instructed his administration to engage with the Department of Water Affairs for consent to introduce the elevated retaining walls, and valves.

Engelbrecht, on behalf of Neccta, expressed his appreciation towards the municipal manager for his direct involvement and for actually putting municipality’s money where their mouths are. The next critical issue which will be addressed after the electricity and water challenges have been well met, will be the aspect of the informal traders in the main street.