Residents will be out of water for an additional two to three days, since repairs are still being done on the Northcliff Tower.
The problem started when a motor at the tower burnt on 17 April. Affected areas include Northcliff and its extensions, Greymont, Waterval Estate Ext 5 and Valeriedene. On the fourth day without water, Ward 88 Councillor Pat Richards said on 20 April that the pumps that were installed, failed to work and need to be replaced.
“The engineer said that it will take two to three days to repair the motor pump. I have informed residents as much as I can about what is happening and we have water tanks in place that residents have access to,” explained Richards.
Northcliff Ext 15 resident Ian Plunkett said that in his 43-years of being a Northcliff resident, there have been constant problems with the water tower pumps and believes it is because they are old.
“I think Joburg Water is handling the situation the best way they can, given the circumstances. I am an engineer by experience, in this situation I would recommend that they install a generator to pump the station temporarily. This would alleviate the problem we are faced with,” said Plunkett.
He added that it has been dreadful for him and other residents to cope without water. “It is painful at my age to carry heavy buckets of water, which is taking a physical toll on me. I have never missed a payment for my water bill and believe it is unacceptable that residents have to go so long without water,” argued Plunkett.
Meanwhile, Joburg Water informed residents that the second replacement motor tripped in the early hours of 20 April, after being replaced yesterday. This resulted in the water failing to be pumped into the tower. According to the entity’s spokesperson Eleanor Mavimbela, technicians are working on the problem and will be able to give an update soon.
Tankers are placed in the following locations:
- Corner of Cedar and Palm streets
- Corner of Frederick Drive and Bird Avenue
- Corner of Lucky and Louie avenues
- Corner of Ethel and Joseph avenues
- Spar on Rockcliff Drive
- A roaming tanker is in the area to assist with refilling the stationary tanks.
Related articles:
Northcliff Tower unable to pump water
