eMalahleni’s water problems are far from over
The municipality is making plans to provide water without any hiccups.
Consumers have heard the excuse of old pipes and infrastructure, outdated technology, theft, and vandalism over and over again.
Mr Lebo Mofokeng, the municipal spokesperson wrote a lengthy response explaining what the problems are and their problem-solving initiatives.
The municipality investigated the water complaints and it was found that the main cause of the intermittent water supply and compromised quality was amongst others the following: old and aged infrastructure, uncontrolled high water pressures in the water supply system, installation of other services, interference by external factors, and access to affected areas, implementation of other projects, materials and spares turn around.
“The above factors are interrelated and contribute to the extended restoration of water supply services which impacts negatively on consumers especially during this pandemic period,” Mofokeng explained.
Some areas in the city have suffered weeks without water to such an extent that the Democratic Alliance had to knock on the Human Rights Commissions’ door to remind the municipality that they are responsible to supply clean water to its consumers.
Consumers in Extensions 16 and 41 were furious when days ticked pass and their taps remained empty.
The reason for the prolonged time without water was that the municipality has embarked on an asbestos water pipe replacement program which the execution thereof results in water cuts.
“The main challenge faced is that the project is implemented in the build-up and developed areas. Theft and vandalism also played a role as well as the non-existing drawings to indicate other services using the same servitude. Moreover that there are no visible water leakages that could be linked to the cause of low water pressures in the system,” Mofokeng said.
Siyanqoba, Klarinet Extensions, and Pine Ridge were also left dry when two major pipe breaks occurred in Old Coronation and Pap Vleis vicinity on the main water line.
The problem here was that the requisite materials and spares could not be sourced easily as they are non-shelf items and had to be obtained from outside. Municipal contractors and employees were also scared to work in the area as they were threatened by the very furious community who would not reason and demand water immediately.
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A broken interconnecting valve at Costas intersection was to blame for the water interruptions at Clewer, Kwa Guqa New extensions, Hlalanikahle Extensions, and Empumelelweni. This valve needs to be replaced urgently. To make matters worse the pipe feeding the townships was rusted and corroded and three lengths thereof had to be replaced.
The cherry on the top is thieves that come along and help themselves to components in the water system that contains metal and steal it. That puts even more pressure on the water system and of course, is a huge monetary loss for the municipality.
The high water pressure in Model Park Extensions, Die Heuwel Extensions, Highveld Park, Blancheville and Riverview Plots, Clearwater Estate and Jackaroo Park is resulting in numerous water pipe breakages as the aged asbestos cement pipes can not accommodate the water pressure.
The municipality is not just identifying problems in the water supply system, they have also put plans on the table to keep the water running.
The municipality has approved and adopted the water conservation water demand management strategy which is the product of the Municipal Water Summit which has identified several areas for implementation.
“The following are some of the interventions employed to mitigate water supply shortages and low pressures: water tankers are utilised to affected areas, water rationing where practicable and enabling infrastructure is in place, monitoring and managing water storage reservoir levels for efficient distribution and attending to reported and observed water pipe bursts and leakages,” Mofokeng said.
In the long term, money is needed to tackle the problem. Some good news Mofokeng shared is that the municipality applied to increase their water use licence, they are also looking into getting additional water from initiatives like Highveld, Siyanqoba scheme, Ben Fleur, and Reyno Ridge, recycling of effluent, Doornpoort scheme, and underground water.
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“We are delighted that the Ben Fleur and Reyno Ridge water supply scheme by the utilisation of modular package plant to a capacity of 20 Ml/day is at an advance stage and expected to be commissioned in this year.”
In the meantime, Mofokeng urges consumers to use water sparingly and report all water leakages to the municipality for attention as the South African Weather Services predicts soaring summer temperatures that will burden the municipal water supply system.
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