Water woes to continue in far east as maintenance team experiences ‘glitch’
Water tankers are expected to continue to be dispatched to the affected areas.
Residents in the far east regions of Pretoria will be without water a little longer after the installation of a pump at the Bronkhorstspruit water treatment plant.
The completion of installation would have meant that the water woes experienced at Bronkhorspruit, Ekangala and surrounds would have come to an end by Wednesday, March 13.
The delay is at the heart of Ekangala and its surroundings areas enduring dry taps for several weeks owing to a breakdown of a pump at the plant.
On February 20, Tshwane said in a statement the plant was operating at half capacity after a lightning strike had damaged its electrical components.
As a result, only one pump worked, pumping water from the plant to the Zithobeni and Ekandustria reservoirs.
Tshwane spokesperson Selby Bokaba said completion of the equipment installation was expected late on Wednesday night or latest Thursday morning, but the motor and its base platform couldn’t align, thus pushing back completion time.
“The service provider will return to the plant today to cut the slots so that they align correctly.”
This type of work is not new to the service provider, as they have successfully done a similar job many times previously.
“Once pumping has commenced, which is expected to take place either later tonight or earliest Friday morning, it will take a few days for the system to recover and stabilise before full water supply is restored to all the areas in Region 7,” said Bokaba.
He said rationing supply as an interim measure to ensure an equitable distribution of water, as well as water tankers dispatched to the affected areas, would continue.
“Plans are still firmly on track, glitches notwithstanding, to restore water supply to the distraught residents of Region 7, as per the commitments and undertakings made by the city.
Progress on the installation of the pump and motor at the Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Plant. pic.twitter.com/6b6QmW8RsU
— City of Tshwane (@CityTshwane) March 14, 2024
He said the city understands the frustration that the residents have endured for a prolonged period and appreciates their patience during this very difficult period.
“We are working on a long-term plan to just not repair the pumps in the event of a breakdown, but to entirely replace the current ones.
To this end, two new pumps will be ordered for the plant, and additional technical skills sourced to improve management of the plant.”
The city announced it would fence the plant to prevent unauthorised access it suspects could lead to sabotage and arson.
“A contractor has already visited the site to conduct an assessment and will furnish the city with a quotation.”
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