iLembe extends flood relief programme into next year
To date, the municipality has spent about 54% of the flood relief funding of R19.251-million.
iLembe District municipality is to extended the completion of its flood relief programme to February next year.
This is because the approaching holiday period is likely to interrupt much of the work scheduled for December.
The extension was announced by district mayor Thobani Shandu at a press briefing last Friday.
He said being the rainy season and the majority of work involving excavations, delays can be expected.
“It is for this reason that iLembe wants additional time to allow for the proper completion of the flood relief project,” said Shandu.
To date, the municipality has spent about 54% of the flood relief funding of R19.251-million.
Progress on projects stand at 75%, with eight jobs created in September, 42 in October and 57 in November.
Included in the long-term plan is the replacement of damaged pipelines flooded at stream crossings with steel pipelines. However, this will only materialise once sufficient funds are available.
Referring to the festive season, Shandu said iLembe faces many challenges because of the additional demands on services such as high water usage and high volumes entering the sewerage system.
“At last Monday’s special sitting of the executive committee, technical services presented a report on the municipality’s state of readiness to handle the additional demands that come with the holiday season. Both Umgeni Water and Siza Water were consulted in the preparation of the report.”
Despite the increase in demand during this period, Shandu said no additional resources would be deployed.
“Sewer trucks will be operating as normal in areas where they ensure desludging is done to avoid spillages, while water tankers will continue following their daily delivery schedules for the relevant areas. Councillors have contact details of water tanker drivers.
“Due to the outcry caused by delays in the repair of water trucks, mechanical and electrical contractors will be on standby.”
He said an agreement had been entered into with an excavator hiring company to have excavators available at short notice should the need arise.
While iLembe says it was ready for the festive season, there are risks which may affect the plans, such as the Maphumulo water works which has limitations in dealing with high turbidity.
The rainy season increases turbidity levels resulting in low production at the waterworks.
“Regarding the Hazelmere water scheme supplying Ndwedwe, an operating rule is followed whereby water supply is alternatively opened and closed to feed different areas, but power interruptions caused by thunderstorms and loadshedding may cause additional problems,” Shandu said.
He added water supply interruptions in the lower Thukela were caused by frequent pipe bursts which can cause water shortages in most of KwaDukuza.
With regards to disaster management, Shandu said an analysis of previous summer season hazards suggests that the district is prone to multi-disasters and major incidents such as floods, lightning, hail, strong winds, heat waves and household fires.
Recent lightning statistics suggest that Maphumulo and Ndwedwe local municipalities are adversely affected during severe thunderstorms and it is for this reason that the district continues to intensify its efforts to promote risk avoidance among vulnerable communities exercise risk avoidance behaviour.
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