Residents of King Sabata Dalindyebo municipality are currently without water this afternoon after a gravity water pipeline from the Mthatha Dam to Thornhill Water Treatment Works, burst.
According to a statement released by the OR Tambo Municipality the broken gravity water pipeline from the dam which had been leaking for some time.
“This matter was brought to the attention of the department on numerous occasions and the department has been responding to request by saying repairs are on tender stage,” read part of the statement.
The leakage has resulted in reduction of raw water inflow to Thornhill Water Treatment Works from 750ℓ/s to 540ℓ/s averagely.
“Hence the frequent water supply oscillations that have been encountered in the area,” according to the statement.
The pipe leakage is said to have increased such that since June 7 up to date, the situation deteriorated terribly.
The pumping system from the dam pump station was halted at 10am today due to cavitation of the pumps which resulted to a shutdown of Thornhill Water Supply Scheme.
The OR Tambo municipality has urgently engaged contractors to complete the alternative raw water supply from Mthatha River which was aimed to augment the raw water supply from the dam to Thornhill Water Scheme.
“The municipality together with the Department of Water and Sanitation are working closely to ensure that the challenge is resolved. Contractors are working tirelessly throughout to ensure that water is restored. If needs be, this will include working in the weekend,” the statement said.
Major water challenge affects Mthatha
Image: File
Residents of King Sabata Dalindyebo municipality are currently without water this afternoon after a gravity water pipeline from the Mthatha Dam to Thornhill Water Treatment Works, burst.
According to a statement released by the OR Tambo Municipality the broken gravity water pipeline from the dam which had been leaking for some time.
“This matter was brought to the attention of the department on numerous occasions and the department has been responding to request by saying repairs are on tender stage,” read part of the statement.
The leakage has resulted in reduction of raw water inflow to Thornhill Water Treatment Works from 750ℓ/s to 540ℓ/s averagely.
“Hence the frequent water supply oscillations that have been encountered in the area,” according to the statement.
The pipe leakage is said to have increased such that since June 7 up to date, the situation deteriorated terribly.
The pumping system from the dam pump station was halted at 10am today due to cavitation of the pumps which resulted to a shutdown of Thornhill Water Supply Scheme.
The OR Tambo municipality has urgently engaged contractors to complete the alternative raw water supply from Mthatha River which was aimed to augment the raw water supply from the dam to Thornhill Water Scheme.
“The municipality together with the Department of Water and Sanitation are working closely to ensure that the challenge is resolved. Contractors are working tirelessly throughout to ensure that water is restored. If needs be, this will include working in the weekend,” the statement said.
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