The spate of water cuts continues in Grahamstown as holding dams go dry and water pumps break. Extension 9 resident Siphokazi Ralo said water supply was “on and off ” during the weekend and that taps went completely dry at about 8am yesterday morning.
The spate of water cuts continues in Grahamstown as holding dams go dry and water pumps break. Extension 9 resident Siphokazi Ralo said water supply was “on and off ” during the weekend and that taps went completely dry at about 8am yesterday morning.
Meanwhile Grocott’s Mail discovered that Howison’s Poort dam and the other holding dam are now completely empty.
The fabric that covers the surface of the reservoir wall to stop water from leaking into the soil below is also in a state of disrepair.
Lucan Olifant, a worker at the municipality’s water treatment works attributed the relative emptiness of the dams to the drought.
Olifant said the faulty pumps are located at James Kleinhans and that besides the dry dams there are no problems at the treatment plant.
Some residents argue that because the dams are empty it is vital for the municipality to see to the maintenance and repairs that need to be done at James Kleinhans Dam.
At the time of going to print comments from Makana Municipal spokesperson Thandy Matebese had not been obtained.
There were serious water shortages across various parts of town which started over the weekend before last and persisted throughout the week.
Municipal Manager Ntombi Baart announced that “the water level has reached a point where the municipality cannot provide to the industrial area and some other high lying areas with water from Waainek.”
The statement added that there is only one water pump functioning at James Kleinhans Dam, which is causing a strain on the system’s ability to supply water to areas normally supplied by Waainek.
Contracted technicians went on site last week to fix the faulty pump and to link the supply from James Kleinhans to areas normally supplied by Waainek.
With Scifest Africa ending today, the water cuts definitely affected its smooth running. Cath Walters, Media Officer for Scifest Africa, reported last week that they did not have any water at the 1820 Settlers Monument where the majority of the events are took place.
