MunicipalNews

#WaterOutage: Water slowly returns but trapped air may delay the process

SANDTON – High lying areas may take longer to get water.

November 23, 2017
Ashtyn Mackenzie, Pieter Dempsey and Nikita Fernandes 5 minutes read
Photo: Supplied.

Update, 7.30pm

Sandton Chronicle contacted Nico De Jager, MMC for environment and infrastructure services, to clarify some of the concerns posed by residents.

“The reason some people will have water and their neighbour won’t could be due to air in the pipes or that the reservoir levels are still too low,” De Jager said.

“In Bryanston, the water level is at 3m in the reservoir and is slowly increasing.”

In terms of the hydrants that are still open, he stressed that it is necessary to let the air out even though it might seem like a waste.

“Water won’t be restored if they close it while there is still air in the pipes. This might lead to another pipe burst. The teams are still working non-stop,” he said.

De Jager also asked for the community to please be patient. He will follow up with Johannesburg Water as to when the hydrants will be closed.

 

Update, 4pm:

Nico De Jager, MMC for environment and infrastructure services, said that trapped air pockets may be preventing water to flow in some areas, and that fire hydrants have been opened to assist in flushing the pressure out.

“I’m aware of the frustrations of residents and hopefully water will be restored in Douglasdale soon,” he added.

 

Update, 12.15pm:

Douglasdale Community Policing Forum chairperson, Jean Berdou has advised residents to ensure their taps are closed so that as, and when, the water returns, water is not wasted.

According to some of our readers, water has returned in certain areas. These include:

  • Sunninghill Gardens,
  • Buccleuch,
  • Some of the parts in Edenburg and Fourways,
  • Hurlingham Manor,
  • Lonehill,
  • Craigavon and Fourways Gardens,
  • Dainfern,
  • Gallo Manor,
  • Paulshof,
  • Bramley Park,
  • Sandown,
  • Beverley,
  • Bryanston,
  • Woodlands,
  • River Club,
  • Douglasdale, and
  • Broadacres.

 

Update, 8.30am:

 

Update, 23 November, 6am:

 

Update, 5pm:

 

 

Update, 2.55pm:

Welding has been completed by Johannesburg Water and flushing will commence shortly, according to Isaac Dhludhlu.

Ward 103 councillor Vincent Earp said, “It was agreed that we want to ensure 200 per cent security of the work and are mounting an additional layer. That work is now in progress. We are starting the recharge in the next two hours. All residents will have water by early tomorrow (23 November).”

 

Update, 12.20pm:

 

Update, 11.10am:

Nico de Jager, MMC for environment and infrastructure services, speaks to us about the water outage …

 

Update, 10.45am:

Isaac Dhludhlu of Johannesburg Water speaks to us about the massive water outage.

 

 

Update, 10.30am:

https://www.facebook.com/sandtonchronicle/videos/1503952779642512/

 

 

Update, 9am:

Ward 109 councillor, Werner Smit, has visited the Johannesburg Depot in Kramerville to meet the depot manager and coordinator of the water tankers. “More tankers are being dispatched from Alberton,” said Smit.

“I’ve asked them to expedite a tanker on the eastern side of the M1 Marlboro Gardens and Kelvin at the Kelvin Village Shopping Centre in South Way, [as well as] one at the Wendywood Clinic in Wendy street Wendywood.”

Also read: #WaterOutage: Residents frustrated as schools and old-age homes struggle without water tanks

 

Update, 22 November, 8.30am

Councillor Nico de Jager, MMC for Environment and Infrastructure Services, has released the following statement on behalf of the City of Joburg …

 

I would like to advise residents of the Sandton, Bryanston, Woodmead, Morningside, Alexander, Linbro Park and the surrounding arrears that there were major leaks identified on the main water pipeline that runs through Linbro Park landfill site.

This is the largest repair job ever done by Joburg Water on a main line, and due to the burst being 35 meters deep on a very unstable landfill, we could not risk burying our employees alive during the maintenance process.

I am on site, and will be available for updates during today.

The burst pipe affected water supply, and supply had to be throttled to avoid reservoirs running dry as the recharging will take longer. We hope to flush the system around 12pm and simultaneously open the reservoirs as well. Reservoirs shut down with 1 meter of water left, so that they will have time to refill.

High-lying areas such as Bryanston will take longer to receive water due to the height in relation to pumping capacity.

Estimated time of repair is 1pm, provided there are no further complications.

Water tanks are available at the following points: 

 

An additional 16 tankers will also be rolled out today.

Johannesburg Water is committed to providing water and sanitation that is of high quality to all residents of the City of Johannesburg and we apologize to residents for the inconvenience caused.

 

Details:

24 hour Hotline: 011 375 5555/ 0860 562 874

SMS line: 082 653 2143

Email: Customer@jwater.co.za

 

 

Update, 22 November 6.30am 

Johannesburg Water technical teams have worked through the night (21 November) but repair and restoration times still cannot be estimated.

Water tankers have reportedly been placed in several areas as listed below.

 

Update, 21 November 9.15pm 

Johannesburg Water is still busy on site this evening (21 November) in attempts to get to the pipe and repair it. “They are still cutting away concrete and have not started any welding,” said Ward 103 councillor Vincent Earp.

“Once repaired, the pipes then need to be charged, let the pressure build and then release to refill the reservoirs. Not as simple as turning on an electrical switch.  I suggest bank on getting water back tomorrow (22 November) and make alternative plans in the meantime.

“We have four reservoirs affected. If the pipe bursts while the pressure builds up, they will have to start the whole repair process again,” Earp continued.

“This unplanned outage affects a wide range of suburbs including the Sandton CBD, Morningside, River Club Rivonia, Strathavon, Woodmead, Gallo Manor, etc. The outage affects suburbs as far as Fourways.”

 

Have you seen and utilised the tankers listed below? Let us know on our Facebook page.

 

 

Update, 7pm:

The affected Sandton areas are still without water this evening, 21 November, and Johannesburg water has confirmed that the issue requires a 40m-deep excavation. Welders are set to begin their work at 10pm, which will take 8 hours, this according to Ward 106 councillor Chris Santana.

Water valves should be opened at 9am tomorrow, 22 November, Santana added. Pressure will return to normal after 24 hours. However, according to Johannesburg Water, repair and restoration times can only be confirmed once welders begin their work.

 

Update, 1pm:

Estimated time of repair completion is still unknown as Joburg Water teams attend to the burst pipe.

 

Earlier:

Johannesburg Water has confirmed on 20 November that a major burst of a 600mm pipe which supplies Bryanston, Sandton, Alexandra, Morningside and Linbro Park has lead to reduced water supply.

They have confirmed that technicians are still on site this morning (21 November) and have worked throughout the night, excavating and draining water. No estimated time of restoration is yet known.

Water tankers have been placed in multiple points in and around the affected areas.

Residents are urged to reduce water consumption due to low water levels in reservoirs.

Related articles:

Take note: Planned water interruption in Sandton and Alexandra 

Large parts of northern Joburg without water today

November 23, 2017
Ashtyn Mackenzie, Pieter Dempsey and Nikita Fernandes 5 minutes read

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