A joint operation committee (JOC) was established on December 23 after the Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services were alerted to the caving in of a section of the spillway wall at Middle Lake.
The JOC is made up of experts from key departments in the Ekurhuleni metro, the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the provincial and national departments of water and sanitation and Rand Water.
Roads around Middle Lake, including on and off ramps to the N12 via Tom Jones Road and Bunyan Street remain closed while repair operations are underway.
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During a site visit on December 27, executive mayor councillor Mzwandile Masina pleaded for patience from the community.
“This is a necessary operation to avert a major disaster.
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“We are calling on the people of Ekurhuleni to exercise caution and be patient – once the siphon suction pumps are in place road usage will resume.”
Themba Gadebe, spokesperson for the Ekurhuleni metro, said the JOC managed to divert the water then moved on to deploy seven suction pumps into operation to reduce the dam level.
“The lowering of the dam level will reduce the risk of the spillway collapsing and will assist in allowing engineers access to the damaged slab for repairs,” Gadebe explained.
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“Six siphon suction pumps will be enlisted to further lower the dam levels.
“This operation is planned to kick start as soon as the siphon pumps are in place.
“Work will start to remove the damaged slab and compacting of the voids underneath the spillway once the water levels have been reduced.
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“While this is a temporary measure, it is expected that it will take a number of months to complete the refurbishment of the spillway.”
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