Municipality confirms bulk water supply infrastructure collapse
Water tankers are dispatched to some of the areas affected, but unfortunately, water tankers are limited and can’t cover all the areas simultaneously.
Emalahleni Local Municipality has issued a media statement over the ongoing water outages faced by residents.
In the statement, the municipality confirmed that it is faced with a sudden major bulk water supply infrastructure collapse, which resulted in the reduction of bulk water supply to the grid by approximately 50 Megalitres per day.
The municipal water storage reservoirs are currently operating below 30% hence most areas are experiencing low water supply to no water supply.
The drastic drop in reservoir levels is a result of the following challenges:
Decommissioning of point S (Ben Fleur) package plant due to water quality issues.
Structural damages on the three (3) sand filters at the main municipal water purification plant, repair works have started and are anticipated to be completed on Tuesday, January 23.
The structural damage to the three filters has resulted in reduced production at the plant by approximately 20 Ml/d.
Thungela Mine reclamation plant has been out of operation since Tuesday, January 16, and has resulted in a reduced bulk water supply to the grid by 25Ml/d. The plant is expected to be back in full production on Friday, January 19.
The above factors have increased the water deficit from the initial deficit of 60 Ml/d to 110 ML/D hence the water outcry.
It is no longer the point C reservoir that is affected, however, almost all reservoirs are now affected due to the above-mentioned factors.
Repair and cleaning of the 60 Megalitre reservoir at point C is still on track, unfortunately, the unavailability of water is delaying the progress because the process of sludge removal, rinsing and disinfection of the reservoir requires water.
Point C areas were recovering after the implementation of water rationing, unfortunately, all the gains have been hard hit by the uncontrolled situations mentioned above.
The reinstatement of the alternative feeder line from Point B tower via corner Enties and Steenkamp Street has been completed, but it is not effective because of potable water shortages.
Water tankers are dispatched to some of the areas affected but are limited and can’t cover all the areas simultaneously.
Areas that are mostly affected are:
Reyno Ridge extensions, Ben Fleur extensions, Del Judor Extensions, a portion of Witbank Ext 16, Highveld View, Highveld Mall, Corridor Hill, Bankenveld Extensions, Witbank Dam, Tasbet Park Ext 12, Duvha Park Extensions 9, 15 and Dixon Holdings, portion of Witbank Ext 10, Marelden Extensions, portion of Blancheville, Kwa-Guqa Extensions 4, 5, 10, 11 and 18, Empumelelweni Extensions, Hlalanikahle Extensions and a portion of Sinqobile.
The situation is currently being attended to by the technical team of the municipality and repairs are underway to restore supply as a matter of urgency.
Updates on the repairs underway will be communicated and expectations are that the water supply will start to normalise by early next week because the system needs a longer period to recharge once water is pumped back into the system.
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