Update

GEORGE NEWS - The current Wilderness and Kleinkrantz water issue started on 19 November with reports of no water or low water pressure. 

Municipal teams have identified what appears to be historic debris inside the main supply line, which is a closed system. 

It seems this debris has recently become dislodged and created a blockage (“plug”) within the main supply line which runs from Akela Reservoir to across Kaaiman's Bridge to the Wilderness Reservoir.

Detecting the exact location of the blockage in this environment is particularly difficult for several reasons. The main supply line forms part of a closed bulk supply system, meaning the obstruction cannot be identified visually from outside. 

There is no leak or pipe failure, so no surface water or wet areas to guide teams. 

The affected section also runs through extremely inaccessible terrain requiring staff to walk in and out with equipment, which has slowed progress significantly.

Standard acoustic detection technology has not been effective along this coastal stretch due to continuous noise from the sea and strong winds, which interfere with the sensitive instruments used to detect changes inside the pipe.

Temporary solutions

To stabilise the water supply while the obstruction is being searched for, secondary teams have been working on Installing two temporary bypass lines to maintain water flow into the Wilderness and Kleinkrantz distribution network.

Project 1: Temporary Pipeline (Akela Reservoir to Kaaiman's Train Bridge)
The 400m temporary pipeline between Akela Reservoir and the Kaaimans Train Bridge has been completed and is currently operational. A gasket failure was identified, which restricted water flow to Wilderness.

This gasket will be removed and replaced with a 200mm isolating valve inside the concrete chamber at the tie-in point.

Teams have already prepared the chamber and tie-in point for installation. After removal of the gasket and installation of the isolating valve, water flow will increase to Wilderness.

Project 2: New 200mm Pressure Line
A new 200m section of 200mm diameter pressure pipeline has been laid and is ready for connection. Anchoring points have been installed along the route to stabilise the above-ground pipeline. 

Both tie-in positions have been located, secured and prepared for connection, with tie-ins scheduled to commence shortly.

During preparation for Project 2, a camera inspection revealed a blockage in the existing main supply line , approximately 7 metres from the tie-in point of the 200mm temporary line. 

Contractors will now excavate the existing main supply line at this location to remove the affected pipe section and clear the obstruction before connection proceeds.

The municipality acknowledges the impact on the tourism-dependent area and continues to prioritise full restoration, with water trucks deployed and teams working continuously. Restoring full system stability remains the highest priority.

Further updates will follow as work progresses.

Water trucks remain available

Please note that the roaming vehicles have been requested to hoot when entering a street. Trucks do have to return to the reservoir to replenish water during the day.

Kleinkrantz:
Two water trucks in operation:

• One stationed at the Kleinkrantz informal settlement
• One roaming the area

Wilderness:

• Wilderness Hotel
• Bundu Café
• 8th Avenue
• Fire truck @ Waves Garage

Residents are urgently requested NOT to call the after-hours number for outage updates, as this slows response operations.

‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’