NEW WATER TANKS ‘LEAKING’
THE SOL Plaatje Municipality has denied that the elevated water tanks in Ritchie, that are less than a year old, are leaking and cannot be used.
The tanks were commissioned in November last year as part of the upgrading of bulk water supply to Ritchie, that included a new pump station as well as the newly constructed elevated tanks.
According to the municipality the tanks would ensure water supply security and improved access to water by the community.
Municipal spokesperson, Sello Matsie, denied yesterday that there were leaks on the elevated towers. “The tanks were commissioned at the end of last year and formed part of the bulk water project. The project is currently under retention and is covered for all defects.”
He admitted, however, that despite the upgrading of the network, nightly shutdowns in Ritchie continue every night from 7.30pm to 4am.
“The reason for this is to build storage. It must be remembered that the reservoirs were not full and they are bigger than the old ones. We are also purifying water at the same rate that we are pumping out water.”
Matsie stated further that the municipality was also busy changing the filter sand so that it could increase the volume being processed.
According to residents, the situation in the town is “as bad and even worse than Kimberley”.
“However, the municipality never talks about what is happening here,” the resident stated.
He pointed out that since the tanks were installed, as part of the upgrade which he estimated cost around R40 million, one tank could only be filled halfway because it then started leaking. “We have very poor water pressure and often the water is on for two or three hours and then there is no water again. This has been continuing for the last five weeks.”
He said that when residents contacted the call centre, they were informed that the electricity at the pump was off.
“It’s strange that the whole of Ritchie has electricity but according to the call centre, there is no electricity at the pump. We are sick and tired of the situation and the municipality needs to inform residents what is happening and what is being done to remedy the poor water supply, despite the fact that millions of rands have been spent.”
Another resident pointed out that despite the municipality putting up “this massive plant”, there were still issues with water. “It seems that the plant isn’t working. The water is switched off at night and by 5am it is still not on. When it does come on, there is only a trickle and by midday it is gone again. It is ridiculous and residents are spending a fortune on buying water and making a plan to get enough water to bath.
“If the water is off from 7.30pm to 4am – as they state – this should be sufficient time to fill the tanks if the plant is operating optimally. The municipality needs to make sure that it is getting value for money for the contract and that there is sufficient water to meet the demands of the residents.”