Lonehill Dam leak to be repaired

Councillor David Foley recently went to Lonehill Dam with sub-constructor Jack Tlisane to assess the extent of its damage. This after the dam was reported to be leaking and it becomes even worse on rainy days.

Tlisane said to Fourways Review that the damage is not too complex and will only take him and his team about three weeks to get it repaired. “We were supposed to start next week but due to contractual matters, we had to pause because they are still in a process.

“This is a critical job – so that when we start we should not stop because water can be disturbed and we do not want it to go to waste. There are fishes in the dam that people love to see in their spare time, so when it leaks it affects them. Also, it causes erosion as the water leaks from the dam.”

That is why he is on standby to get the repairs done as soon as he gets the go ahead and equipment. He said when he went to the dam with Ward 94 councillor David Foley last week, they were there for scavenging.

“We did this so that it becomes easier for the machines to function and us to work.”

According to Foley, the work means they would have to instal four levels of gabions – a strong wire cage filled with rocks and various cement fillings to ensure the Lonehill Dam wall will not leak.

“Large machinery will be used to remove the broken cement blocks and slabs. The job should take about a week but personally I think it will take a bit longer. Jack is the person in charge on-site and I will be visiting daily to track the progress. The plan is to level the new structure that it acts as a bridge which has been non-functional since the collapse. When complete the dam should fill up and any further leaks will be monitored. I will update the residents regularly.”

Related Article: Pedestrian bridge collapses at Lonehill Dam following recent heavy rain