Millions spent on Gogga pump station upgrading
AN AMOUNT of R25 million was recently spent on upgrading the Gogga pump station, although it is not functional, according to the DA.
The party said thousands of litres of fresh water and sewage continued to gush into the veld at the same places that were repeatedly earmarked for repairs, including the 965 millimetre pipeline at the 3SAI military base, the Gogga pump station and the Riverton pipeline.
DA Member of Parliament Delmaine Christians believed that either work was not being concluded or repairs were not sustainable.
“The Gogga pump station is not functioning. Even when there is enough sewage coming through, it cannot be sent to the Homevale Sewage Plant because this plant is currently not operational.”
She added that sewage and freshwater leaks from the Gogga pump station continued to flow onto the R31 road.
“These leaks are already 18 years in the making and continue to add to the massive water mass on the R31. This was one of the main reasons for the previous water shutdown and it is again one of the reasons for the upcoming shutdown in Kimberley from October 6 to 10.”
Christians stated that there were extensive fresh water leaks at the 3SAI army base and along the N12.
“Another major fresh water leak on the Riverton pipeline is affecting farmers in the area, who do not have water for their livestock. The damning situation shows just how precarious Sol Plaatje’s water and sewage infrastructure is. It cannot be that the same repairs are done time and time again, and yet there is no improvement in the state of the city’s water and sewage pipelines and growing marshlands,” she added.
Sol Plaatje Municipality spokesperson Thoko Riet said the leak at the Gogga pump station, along with other major leaks identified along the bulk water network, would be addressed during the planned water shutdown next month.
“These repairs are part of normal operations and the maintenance budget, and expenditure on it is reported as such and accordingly.”
She indicated that they were not able to quantify the cost of the operation until it has been completed.
"There are many cost inputs to be considered,” she said.