Sol warns City to prepare a five -day water shutdown

While the residents were kept enough water from May 29 to June 3, they were also warned that the planned water detachment will neither be the first nor the last of its kind in the city.

Martha Bartlett, senior mayor of Sol Plaatje, said that during the urban closure, a large leak repair company would take place, which will take place from next Thursday at 6 p.m. to June 3 at 8 a.m.

“Lighting valves are replaced and 16 leaks are repaired on the 600 millimeter pipes and 900 mm pipelines along the main pipeline,” she said.

“Since April 2024, when R. received grant financing from the budget facility for infrastructure (BFI) in the amount of 2.5 billion, 11 of the 27 leaks were repaired to contain immediate excessive water losses. Additional leaks that have been developed since the last shutdown are also repaired.”

Bartlett asked the residents to make the necessary provisions in order to reduce the high water requirements during the planned interruption.

“The not significant use of water during the interruption is very discouraged.”

She explained that Jojo tanks would be placed in residential areas at 54 locations, while over 20 water tankers were used throughout the city.

“We ask the residents to destroy or steal the yo-tanks because they are to be enforced with the support of the South African police service.

She added that three raw water abstraction pumps would be serviced on the Vaal River, while two clear water storage tanks in the old riverton water treatment plant were canceled and disinfected.

“Sludge structure has affected the quality of the treated water.

Bartlett noted that the mass pipeline with a diameter of 900 mm would be replaced by a larger pipeline by a diameter of riverton to the Newton reservoir.

“The first Pipe Charge was delivered with the start in February and about 16 kilometers of pipe were procured. The pipe manufacturing project has a value of 285 million R and the installation of 241 million from R.

The municipal manager Thapelo Matlala warned that the city should prepare for further closures as part of the efforts to improve the water infrastructure.

“The situation improves – last year we had no unscheduled water interruptions,” he added.

He advised anyone who plans a wedding, funeral or event next week to ensure that they have enough water.

“This is particularly important if cattle or sheep are to be slaughtered.”

He said it was “unhappy” that a group of members of the Riverton community tried to disturb the project because they wanted to be employed on the website.

“An contractor was commissioned to deal with LECKS in the water rescue system. A database was created to make the residents accessible in the region, and the connecting officer Community will get in touch with future BFI projects.”

Matlala added that 7,500 intelligent water meters were installed in the city.

The BFI program manager Lucky Moyahi stated that corrosion had occurred if the 900 mm tube had to be replaced.

“Important electrical upgrades are carried out. The connection of the 10 MVA transformer will serve as a backup and prevent the entire system from being closed during future shutdowns. The installation of pressure valves regulates the water pressure in the network and prevent pipe towers. New pumps are also installed in the riverton water treatment system.”