Update on extensive water outage: Situation remains critical

GEORGE NEWS - George Municipality has experienced severe infrastructure damage following heavy rainfall which caused flash flooding.

This resulted in several pipe bursts affecting water supply to a large portion of the city. The municipality is managing this crisis. Please note further details below:

UPDATE ON CURRENT STATUS:
George Municipality continues to circulate water trucks to strategic areas throughout mostly the eastern side of the city, following extensive damage to water infrastructure as a result of flash flooding yesterday (Monday 22 November). (Details of water truck locations below).

The water situation remains critical with reservoir levels supplying the eastern and CBD areas very low. Currently Thembalethu, Pacaltsdorp , Blanco, Conville, Borcherds, Lawaaikamp, Protea Park, New Levallia, Blue Mountain and surrounds are the only areas not affected by the water outage.

OEWER STREET DRINKING WATER PIPEBURST:
A 500mm drinking water pipe burst has been located in Oewer Street, Tweerivieren. The pipeline is situated along the Kat riverbank and has burst at places closely located. This pipeline has been isolated and repair work started today.

The flashflood caused severe damage to the pipe as well as the bedding area for the pipe. The river flow has had to be redirected to allow for the bedding area to be reconstructed. Once this has been completed the couplings can be fitted.

A potential second pipe burst has been identified at Rooirivierrif and is being investigated. The water infrastructure has been severely compromised by the flooding and additional damage is being uncovered as repairs are affected.

DURATION OF REPAIRS:
The couplings for Oewer Street can only be fitted tomorrow and the full repair, should there be no further hindrances is expected to take until 17:00 tomorrow (Wednesday 24 November).

Once the couplings have been fitted, gabions will need to be packed around the pipeline to act as a shield. Thereafter the two reservoirs serving the Eastern pipeline need to refill which process will take a few days as reservoirs have significantly depleted. This means that it is anticipated that the network will stabilize but still be vulnerable by Saturday 27th November

PLEASE USE WATER SPARINGLY:
The municipality asks the outer lying areas currently not affected by the water outage to limit their use of water to ONLY necessities as our reservoirs remain critically low following an earlier pipe burst over the weekend coupled with the subsequent damage from yesterday’s flash flooding. Outlying areas may, however, still experience water outages as attempts are made to provide water to areas currently without any water.

UPDATE ON WATER TRUCKS:
Please take note – the trucks will leave their sites to go and refill with water.

Once they have refilled they will return to their positions and will remain in place until 21:00 tonight and will return at 06:00 tomorrow morning.

Wellington Street, Superette
Wellington Street, SPAR
Botanical Garden Parking Area
Caledon Street, in front of George Library
(CBD) Tuinroete Agri – York street
(George South) Union Road across from the Carpe Diem sport grounds
(George South) C/O Nelson Mandela Boulevard and Cradock street at the Engen Garage
(Rosemore) Busy Corner - two trucks present
(Parkdene) Parkdene Primary School
(George East) Genevafontein Superette
(George East) Old Duggies in parking area at Prestons
Attakwa Street - Rosemore
George Fire Brigade, Mitchell Street

As previously stated, our Civil Engineers have confirmed that the two pipe bursts found are not the main cause of the water loss to the reservoirs and continue to search for further faults with all available officials currently walking the main water lines.

There are considerable kilometres of pipeline to inspect and as such Civil Engineering Services continues to appeal to the public who are aware of or see any visible water from what appears to be a burst pipe, to urgently report to 044 8019262/6 so that we can inspect and assess as quickly as possible.

We thank the public in advance who have been extremely patient and helpful in providing relevant information.

Repair work started today.