Sol to cut water to address leaks

SOL PLAATJE Municipality said that next week’s city-wide water shutdown from October 6 to 10 is needed to repair leaks on infrastructure that is 72 years old, where water losses of 60 percent have been incurred.

Municipal spokesperson Thoko Riet said the bulk water supply pipelines were of a similar age.

“Planned work for the water interruption includes repairing leaks at Riverton water purification plant, mid-station, Newton Reservoir, valve replacements and bulk water pipelines,” said Riet.

“With the old and aged water infrastructure, the municipality is experiencing frequent leaks, pipe bursts and general infrastructure failures in some parts of the city. These have a direct impact on water losses, service interruptions and security of water supply in the municipality.”

Riet added that the repair work would reduce the volume of water that flowed into Wildebeestkuil Pan, along the R31 road to Barkly West.

“It is no secret that consumers have been subjected to water restrictions and intermittent water supply for years. The water infrastructure requires a deliberate and robust intervention.

“The bulk water supply system has capacity constraints in meeting the increasing water demands, while there are frequent supply disruptions caused by continued leaks/breakages on the Riverton to mid-station pipeline.”

Riet stated that the municipality had recently upgraded its high-lift pump station to prevent bottlenecks.

“More interventions of different levels are required to ensure that sufficient water is produced and reaches the Newton Reservoir and consumers.”

She added that leaks would be repaired, dysfunctional electrical and mechanical equipment and damaged pipes would be replaced and systems would be implemented to ensure proper operation, maintenance, monitoring and control through the integrated bulk water supply intervention plan.

Riet said that there were short-, medium- and long-term planning and emergency interventions in place to address the water problems.

“In the long term, a new dedicated pipeline from Riverton to Newton or Caters Ridge and new reservoirs in Roodepan and Galeshewe will be built. Until medium- to long-term interventions are implemented to completion, water interruptions may be expected due to major repair work that needs to be undertaken.”

She indicated that the municipality would communicate business opportunities for local businesses and small contractors that could benefit from the roll-out.

WATER INFRASTRUCTURE MAINTENANCE OPERATION

SCHEDULE:

Thursday, October 6, at 6pm: Switch off Riverton, Newton and drain the system empty (12-18 hours).

Friday to Sunday, October 7-9: Commence and proceed with repair work at various sites (24-30 hours).

Sunday, October 9, at 6pm: Complete repairs and recommission Riverton and pipelines (2-4 hours).

Sunday, October 9, at 10pm: Start refilling the line (6-8 hours, pipeline filling mode only).

Water will be restored on Monday, October 10.