Final phase of pipeline in sight
The laying of the bulk water supply pipe from Moreleta Park to the two reservoirs above Breyers Street is nearing an end.
Stephané Bothma
The laying of the bulk water supply pipe from Moreleta Park to the two reservoirs above Breyers Street is nearing the finishing line. Pressure tests will be done within the next fortnight, says project spokesperson Jeannie du Plessis.
“The completion date given by the Tshwane metro was end of March. This date had been changed as the project went along because of some unforeseen problems and delays,” she said, adding that there had been good progress recently.
Some of the sites had to be fenced off as the work involved the digging of deep ditches, she said, but explained that because of theft of metal these ditches had to be covered up again before the final connections could be made.
Du Plessis said work above Breyers Street had been especially slow because most of the digging had to be done by hand – in the hottest time of the year – to protect existing pipelines.
“Most of the work that could be done is finished, all the valves, bends and pipes are in the ditches waiting to be connected.
“The connections that could be done on dry lines have also been completed,” she said.
After the final tests of the pipeline, the final welding would be done, and ditches covered up.
Since January all the thrust blocks had been done and in the next week or two all the pressure tests would be done before the final tie-in, Du Plessis said.
Du Plessis said pavements and roads could only be rehabilitated or repaired after engineers were satisfied the pipes below could handle the high water pressure.
She said at some point, there would be a need to cut water supply to the area for up to one day for the final tie-ins but stressed affected residents would receive ten days’ notice of such cuts.
“We are still positive that this project will be completed in the next few weeks.
For any enquiries about the projects, residents can contact Du Plessis on jeanniedp@gmail.com.
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