Municipal workers on site during the recent city-wide water shutdown that took place from October 6 to 10. Picture: Supplied
THE SOUTH African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) is calling for an independent investigation into the regular water shutdowns that the city has been subjected to, where residents are left for days without a water supply.
Samwu local chairperson Daily Semau said that the shutdowns did not do much to improve the quality of the city’s water.
“Time and time again the same superficial patching is done and yet the water problems persist. The water remains dirty.”
He estimated that the last two water shutdowns came at a cost of R13 million, while R10 million was spent on the water shutdown that took place three weeks ago.
“It would be more beneficial to replace the entire pipeline between Riverton and Kimberley to permanently address the leaks, this will cost around R10 million.”
Semau also believed that a tender should have been advertised each time a water shutdown took place.
“Currently, the same contractor is being used every time and it can not be classified as an emergency expense.
“The municipality is forever crying that there is no money to pay overtime. However, workers are paid overtime whenever there is a water shutdown.”
Sol Plaatje Municipality spokesperson Thoko Riet said a major leak was repaired at mid-station three weeks ago.
“The leak had to be repaired urgently as it was posing a risk to the overhead power lines and it was also about to flood neighbouring properties. This was an unplanned intervention that was attended to by our internal maintenance team. No external contractor was appointed to do the repair work, although generally any maintenance work will cost money,” said Riet.
She refuted the claim that R13 million was spent on this exercise.
“The planned shutdown from October 6-10 was for intensive, planned maintenance work on the major pipeline between Riverton Water Treatment Works and Newton Reservoir and the water network. This maintenance was undertaken in order to ensure that we reduce water losses and improve our water supply.
“This planned shutdown included hiring additional water tankers and JoJo tanks to supply water to the community and the hiring of additional mobile pumps for the entire operation.”
Riet stated that a contractor was appointed that specialised in welding big pipes and installation of valves on the bulk pipeline.
“The municipality is finalising funds for the construction of a new 1.2-metre diameter pipeline, new additional reservoirs and pipeline replacement in the network that will come at a cost of R3.2 billion. We take note of the concerns raised by Samwu and the municipality will welcome any investigation on this matter.”
She indicated that the raw and final water from the Riverton and Ritchie wastewater treatment plants was being monitored on a daily basis.
“Microbiological, physical and chemical properties are regularly analysed. Total coliforms and Escherichia coli were not detected in the daily samples. They are within the South African national standards (SANS) 241 for drinking water. The reticulation is also monitored twice a month at 66 sites.”
She added that the presence of pathogens and indicator organisms (coliforms and E. coli) were assessed to test the safety of the drinking water.
“It is therefore confirmed that the water is fit for human consumption.”