Water situation in town, schools

Trial schedule introduced

ollowing the public open meeting at the Port Alfred Civic Centre on January 14, the water situation remains the same.

The daily required capacity for Port Alfred is approximately 8.5 mega litres (ML), and at present, a maximum of 1.8ML can be pumped daily. In an effort to ensure a more even distribution of water to residents, a water schedule was introduced, effective from Friday January 17.

This trial schedule will be reassessed on a weekly basis.

Any changes to the schedule will be published in Talk of the Town and on social

Fmedia platforms. A Facebook group, Port Alfred Water Crisis, has been created to keep residents informed of any developments.

It will be noted from the schedule that West Bank’s water supply will be open for longer periods than other areas.

The reason is that the West Bank reservoir is situated at the highest and furthest point – therefore it takes time for water to flow into this reservoir.

It should also be noted that prior to water being switched on in various areas, fire hydrants will be opened.

This is to bleed air from the water pipes to prevent pipes bursting. Residents are welcome to collect water from the hydrants when they are opened.

A water audit was conducted at all schools in the Port Alfred/Bathurst area.

The three schools in Bathurst – Velile High, Qhayiya Primary and Bathurst Primary – are situated in the lowerlying areas, and have a constant supply of municipal water.

All three schools have back-up rainwater tanks.

The four schools in Nemato – Kuyasa Combined, Nomzamo High, Dambuza Primary and Mtyobo Primary – are all in the high-lying areas and have no supply of municipal water.

All of these schools have back-up water tanks and Ndlambe Municpality is assisting by delivering water to the schools. Station Hill School currently has municipal water.

Port Alfred High has no municipal water, however, they do have back-up tanks and the municipality is assisting by delivering extra water.

Kowie Foundation School currently has municipal water and back-up tanks.

El Shaddai is on borehole water and has back-up tanks.

Schools whose tanks are not connected are requested to do so, so when municipal water is delivered these can be used.