A major shutdown of the Olifantspoort water treatment plant last Tuesday and Wednesday to allow for a bypass line to be connected to the Specon pipe line, left most residents of the city without water from Wednesday evening until Friday afternoon.
According to Polokwane Municipality’s Communications and Marketing Manager, Matshidiso Mothapo, water supply to low areas were restored first whilst pressure accumulated to restore high areas. “Because the pipes and reservoirs were empty over a longer period, the water had to be accumulated in various reservoirs overnight throughout the municipal area in order to manage the pressure flows and avoid damaging the pipes. Full pressure will be released once all the lines had water,” Mothapo explained.
“The municipality implemented measures to manage the pressure on the system. This include slow release of water into the pipes and removing the air that accumulated into the pipes. Part of managing the pressure and releasing the air from the system involves opening up the air valves and fire hydrants to release the water. If this is not done, the pressure will result in a series of pipe bursts throughout the area resulting in more loss of water and extended period of water shortages,” Mothapo added.
On Tuesday, Mothapo reported that the level of the Potgieter Avenue reservoir was at 28%, while the 50 and 30 mega litre reservoirs were at 24% and 14% respectively. The old 30 mega litre reservoir was low at 14% while the level of the Seshego reservoir was at 15%. The flow from the Olifantspoort and Ebenezer plants were at 141 litres and 242 litres per second, respectively.
The schedule on the DWS website indicated that the levels of the Dap Naudé and Ebenezer dams were at 96,6% and 78,8%.
Story: BARRY VILJOEN
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