Lynnwood reservoir repairs to start next week

Lynnwood residents are still awaiting repairs of the Lynnwood Reservoir leak, discovered on December 1.

According to Ward 82 councillor Siobhan Muller, the repairs have been delayed until next week, when contractors return from their holiday break.

She said in the meantime, two smaller reservoirs in the area are being kept at a high percentage capacity to ensure a steady water supply to residents.

Muller added that they made a decision to keep water (in Lynnwood Reservoir) below the wall to avoid disrupting the water supply during the holiday season.

“There has not been any leak reported since last year.”

Muller equated the delay to the construction company’s holiday closure.

She said the bulk water team had informed her that the reservoir was falling by about 3% per day.

“The result is it won’t be empty for repair work for at least another week, and the construction companies close on December 13 for builders’ holidays.

The plan is to rather keep the reservoir to just below the breach in the wall until after Christmas, so that repairs only take place in January 2025, when contractors return.”

She said they will monitor the reservoir daily to ensure residents aren’t without water.

Muller urged people around the reservoir to report any water leak immediately.

“Thank you to everyone who has been careful with our water.”

Residents were left frustrated because even though the leak at the reservoir was reported over the weekend, it could only be attended to the following Monday.

A leak was discovered at the Lynnwood Reservoir at the corner of The Koppie Road and Alpine Way on December 1.

Muller said a resident reported the leak.

She said despite immediate escalation, Tshwane was only able to attend to the matter on Monday morning.

Muller expressed frustration at the delay, adding that “a lot of water was lost at a time when residents are told to save water”.

She highlighted that this incident occurred during strict water restrictions being imposed by Rand Water, which has warned of a severe water shortage.

“This happens in a time where Rand Water has warned that we are going to run out of water with heavy restrictions in place,” Muller said.

“Millions of litres of water were pumped out of the reservoir throughout the weekend, threatening water resources.”

Previously, Tshwane spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the cause of the leak was possibly a failure of the floor-to-wall joint bandages inside the reservoir.

He said calculations were being done to determine the estimated volume of water lost.

“The estimated volume of water lost will be communicated once the calculations are complete,” Mashigo said.

In response to the crisis, Mashigo said the metro has taken the following steps:

– Emptying the reservoir, which is currently in progress.
– Appointing a service provider to conduct a thorough assessment of the leak.
– Making funds available to appoint a service provider to rehabilitate the reservoir.

“The leak is expected to have a negative impact on the water supply, with 9.5 megalitres of storage being taken out of service.”

Mashigo added that no damages to nearby properties have been reported.

To prevent similar incidents in the future, Mashigo said the metro will appoint civil engineering consultants to assess the structural integrity and general conditions of its reservoirs.

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