Following a slab collapse on the Middle Lake spillway late last year, Ekurhuleni metro divisional head for communications and media relations Nhlanhla Cebekhulu said recently work needed to reinstate the failed concrete slab was completed on February 4.
“Ground penetrating radar scans and surveys are currently being done on the spillway to determine the extent of the cavities under the concrete slab,” confirmed Cebekhulu, adding the results are expected to be available soon.
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“This will be followed by a design of the repairs by the approved professional person (APP), which must be approved by a dam safety officer, who will issue the licence to allow continuation of the repairs.
“Contractors have been appointed to fill all the cavities by pumping concrete and grouting and to seal the joints.
“These two tasks will be carried out simultaneously and are expected to be completed by the end of June.”
While the metro states the repair process is underway, Democratic Alliance (DA) MP Mike Waters alleges the last repair to the spillway was conducted in 2002 after taking the matter to the National Assembly for questioning.
The City Times met with Waters at the spillway recently, following the claim.
“The Department of Water and Sanitation has written to Ekurhuleni, warning that Middle Lake has been classified as condition D, where ‘significant rehabilitation is recommended’,” said Waters.
The MP said this was revealed in a reply to the questions asked in Parliament.
Further to this, he alleges the last inspection prior to the spillway slab collapse first noticed on December 23, 2018, was last conducted on December 7, 2017, with a list of recommendations.
The recommendations from the report, according to Waters, are listed below.
Recommendations for maintenance work:
• All vegetation growing in the concrete joints in the spillway, including the discharge channel and stilling basin, must be removed.
• All trees, with trunk diameters of less than 100mm and shrubs must be eradicated on and within 10m of the Middle Lake wall structure, including the main and auxiliary spillway discharge channel.
• The reeds growing on the upstream slope must be eradicated as far as practically possible.
• Update and implement the operation and maintenance manual to formalise the proper operation and maintenance of the dam.
Recommendation regarding routine inspections and monitoring:
• Three-monthly routine inspections focusing on any signs of impending failure should be conducted. The people in control of the dam should be instructed on how to do the inspections or monitoring.
Recommendation and motivation regarding betterment works:
• Low points on the embankment crests where not protected with amorflex blocks must be repaired and non-overspill.
“The DA has been informed that the metro has an updated manual, clearly explaining how regular inspections must take place and what to actually look out for.
“In addition, dedicated staff have been allocated to this function.
“It is quite clear the metro has not been conducting inspections as often as they should have been.
“It is also significant that action was only taken by the metro as an emergency measure.”
The City Times has contacted the metro regarding the allegations.
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