Metro completes pump repair at Bronkhorstspruit water plant
According to metro spokesperson Selby Bokaba by 16:00 on Friday the plant had begun pumping at full capacity, after residents in Ekangala and surroundings had endured weeks of water outages due to a breakdown of a pump at the plant.
A recently broken-down machine at the Bronkhorstspruit water treatment plant has begun pumping to capacity following successful installation and repair work on the pump and motor.
The repairs took place on Friday March 15.
The pump at the water treatment plant brokedown e mid-February which resulted in water woes and chaos in the area.
The plant had been operating at half-capacity with only one pump working and pumping water from the plant to the Zithobeni and Ekandustria reservoirs.
On Wednesday, March 13, the maintenance team experienced a “glitch” which prolonged the water issues.
“By 16:00 on Friday the plant begun pumping at full capacity, after residents in Ekangala and surroundings had endured weeks of water outages due to a breakdown of a pump at the plant,” said metro spokesperson Selby Bokaba.
He said it would take a few days for the system to fully recover and stabilise before full water supply was restored to all the areas in Region 7.
“The implementation of the balancing of the system as an interim measure through switching off (sic) the current [rationing] supply between areas in order to ensure an equitable distribution of water supply, will continue.”
Pumping of water at Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Plant started late afternoon after installation of motor and pump. pic.twitter.com/2KPcGjA3wH
— City of Tshwane (@CityTshwane) March 15, 2024
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Bokaba said despite the repairs being completed, water tankers would still be dispatched to the area.
“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.”
He said the city understood the frustration residents have endured for a prolonged period and appreciated their patience during this very difficult period.
“Tshwane is working on a long-term plan to not just 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 required technical skills sourced to improve management of the plant.
“Tshwane is embarking on erecting a new fence around the plant to better secure the plant and prevent access which we suspect is conducive for sabotage and arson.”
He said a contractor has already visited the site to conduct an assessment and would furnish the city with a quotation.
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