GEORGE NEWS - The repairs at the site in Herriot Drive, Genevafontein, where a large sink hole appeared due to a main water pipe burst on Saturday, are being slowed by continuing heavy rains from Sunday through today.

The site will be prepared once again while the municipality awaits parts from Cape Town following damage to sealing rubbers during repairs in the rain yesterday. The specialised parts are only expected to arrive from Cape Town by midday today and work is expected to continue most of today.

The hope is that water will be restored by tonight.

Upon completion of connections, the water lines will be tested for leaks. A minimum layer of soil must support and cover the pipes before water can be entirely restored. It will take a few additional hours for water to have filled up sufficiently to restore full water pressure throughout the system.

The recommissioning of an old raw water pipeline to the Water Treatment Works has ensured that water supply does not run out to other parts of George. Please continue to use water sparingly as the old raw water pipes are smaller and cannot handle full capacity.

Extreme low pressure will continue to affect properties in eastern and north-eastern suburbs today.

Water trucks are available to supply water at the most affected locations. The municipality is continuing to address the positioning of the trucks as the need arises and will inform residents accordingly.

The water truck supply points are as follows:

• 1 truck @ Bergsig, Pick and Pay (4th Street)
• 1 truck will circulate between Rosemoor and Le Vallia.
• 1 truck is parked at Van Kervel School in Meyer Street.
• 1 truck at Genevafontein, corner of Herriot and Stander streets.
• 1 truck at Imizamo Yethu Secondary School in Zone 3, Thembalethu. The vehicle is privately hired and does not beat the George Municipality markings.
• 1 truck at All Bricks in Zone 9, Thembalethu.

Water is also available for collection at the Fire Department in Mitchell Street in the CBD.

Water has been steadily filling the pipes in Thembalethu, but pressure continues to drop as water is used before it can build up in the reservoir.

Herriot Drive between Stander and Spreeu streets remains closed and the public is warned to not visit the area on foot and to stay well clear of the entire area as it may be unsafe. Traffic officials are on site and residents of the houses in the repair zone must proceed with extreme caution and only if alternative access is not possible.

The municipality will update residents as repairs progress.

Previous articles:

• Update on water repairs: Genevafontein
• Repairs at the Genevafontein site continues
• Potential water crisis being managed
• Burst pipe can lead to water crisis
• Residents urged to use water sparingly and stay away from major pipe burst in Genevafontein

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