R3.2 billion needed to fix Sol’s water problems

THE SOL Plaatje municipality has submitted a request to the national Treasury to assist in upgrading the city’s ageing water infrastructure that is estimated to come at a hefty price tag of R3.2 billion.

Meanwhile, no indication has yet been given as to when Kimberley’s water supply will be restored after the taps ran dry at the end of last week; and with the water shutdown already in its fifth day, supplies are fast running out.

Frustrated residents questioned why there was no maintenance or backup plan.

“It appears as if we have to prepare ourselves for a dry Christmas without any water while we have guests from abroad who will be visiting,” one resident remarked speaking to the DFA.

In some parts of the city, frustrations have boiled over into protest action with residents blockading roads and burning tyres. Several flashpoints have been identified in the city including Seochoareng Street, Hulana Street and Third Street in Homevale, due to the protracted water shortages.

Residents who were able to, queued for hours at various water points with all sorts of containers with the hope of filling up.

Desperate community members resorted to collecting water that had accumulated in storm water drains and canals.

Other residents with boreholes are sharing water supplies with those in need.

Outlets that were selling borehole water were harshly criticised for making a profit out of the water crisis.

Municipal manager Thapelo Matlala said the municipality was putting an urgent operation and maintenance plan in place at the Riverton Treatment Plant and Newton reservoir.

“The plan is already at an advanced stage of implementation to mitigate future infrastructure failures and water interruptions,” Matlala said.

He indicated that a detailed master plan and conditional assessment of the infrastructure was completed with clear time frames and activities.

“The entire plan (will) cost about R3.2 billion. Once the municipality has secured the funding, the old water treatment works at Riverton will be recommissioned, to enhance the current capacity. The old treatment plant has a capacity of 54 megalitres (ML) while the new plant which is currently operational has a capacity of 108 ML.

“The recommissioning of the old plant will increase the capacity from 108 ML to 162 ML. The old plant will also serve as an alternative source of water supply in the event the new plant is not operational which will alleviate the current water crisis.”

Matlala added that the municipality intended to construct three new additional reservoirs in Galeshewe, Roodepan and Carters Ridge.

“This intervention will ensure that these communities will continue to receive water during supply interruptions,” he said.

He further explained that one of the motors was isolated at the oval tower pump station on December 15 after it experienced mechanical failure.

“All safety procedures were followed to lock out and shut the valve. The maintenance team was not aware that both the rotor delivery and suction valve did not seal properly. Thus, when the pump was removed from the casing, an unmanageable volume of water began to fill the tower. The team tried to put back the pump to avoid the flooding, however they were unsuccessful due to the high pressure of the water.”

Matlala added that the sump pump could also not cope with the high volume of water that entered the pump station.

“The team had to go and fetch another high capacity pump to enable the team to pump out water quickly. Unfortunately, by the time they started pumping the motors and pumps inside the pump station were already flooded, resulting in all equipment being submerged in water.”

He indicated that the water works maintenance team immediately closed off all water supply from the reservoirs to prevent water reserves from being depleted.

“The reservoir complex has a total capacity of 261 ML and these reservoirs are 60 percent full. The whole process was managed in such a way that water is preserved until the installation of pumps is completed in Riverton.”

He stated that the area was submerged after water was released from Bloemhof dam following heavy rains.

“The road access to the tower was flooded making it difficult for the team to make use of the truck and remove the pumps from the tower,” he explained.

“Due to the challenges of accessing the tower, the South African Police diving unit was approached to assist with a float boat so that the pumps could be lowered and transported to the river shore. A crane was then used to remove the pump from the float.”

Matlala added that all four motors had been removed and sent for repairs and would be installed on Monday.

“The motors were placed in an oven to dry up for between six to 12 hours and new bearings were installed where needed.

“The municipality will only be able to give a clear time frame of water restoration once all motors and pumps are installed. The restoration of water also depends on the time to recharge and fill the network. Once mechanical repairs have been completed, water will be pumped into the two pipelines which takes about 12 hours to fill the entire network. Areas that are likely to receive water first would be Galeshewe and Roodepan.”

He said additional water trucks were brought in from the South African National Defence Force to help distribute water to communities.

“The municipality is fully aware of the hardship that members of the public are enduring. We appeal for your patience and understanding as the municipality embarks on every effort possible to restore the water as speedily as possible,” Matlala said.

Meanwhile, in the latest official update, spokesperson for the Sol Plaatje municipality Thoko Riet on Monday said the technical team was assessing the motors at the Riverton purification plant.

“We will communicate all developments after receiving confirmation on progress.

“We understand the frustration of residents not getting water on time but we urge residents not to turn violent or refuse water trucks to enter certain areas. The trucks are being escorted by the police.

“We are doing what we can with the number of flat bed trucks we have,” Riet said.

She indicated that the two water tankers from emergency services were distributing water to hospitals, clinics, malls and old age homes.

“We really plead for patience whilst we are trying hard to assist communities.

“With this challenge, there’s a high volume of calls coming through to the call centre, we also request patience as you may hold the line longer than usual.”

Riet added that the municipality would continue to supply water in all wards with the limited water trucks available.

The Northern Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry has meanwhile invited the municipal manager to an open meeting to discuss the water disaster at the Horseshoe motel on Tuesday.