Reservoir pipe burst adds to water woes
Hout Bay’s water woes continue after a leak burst on the Hout Bay reservoir pipe left some residents without water for almost a week.
The City says residents noticed an unusual water spray at the reservoir, on Wednesday February 21, at 8am.
“They brought this to the attention of ward councillor Roberto Quintas, who alerted the water and sanitation teams. Responding swiftly, the first-level response team was dispatched to conduct an initial assessment.
“A pipe burst was discovered on the incoming feed to the reservoir, situated before the control valve,” said mayoral committee member for water and sanitation Zahid Badroodien.
This is just the latest in a string of pipe bursts, often leaving Hout Bay without water for days at a time (“Double pipe burst leaves Hout Bay high and dry,” Sentinel, January 19).
The repair crew worked throughout the day to expose the 350mm damaged pipe section and remove it, Dr Badroodien added.
“Maintenance teams had to plan appropriately and work with the community to transport digger loaders and the replacement pipe section up the mountain in difficult conditions due to the density of Imizamo Yethu and low-hanging electricity cables.
“Fortunately the reservoir sustained sufficient water storage through the entire duration of repairs. Water supply to the area continued without disruption, although there was a period when levels dropped to a critical 11.25%.”
The pipeline was reconnected at 3am the following morning, according to the City.
“Soon thereafter reservoir levels were steadily replenished. This resulted in repairs to the reservoir being completed in less than 20 hours, working in difficult terrain and extended hours,“ said Dr Badroodien.
While Dr Badroodien claimed there had been no disruption to the water supply, two Hangberg residents told us that they had been left without water for five days after the leak was detected.
Mariam Samaai, of Oceana Emerald Road, said: “My son feeds through a feeding tube in his stomach and having clean water is really important. Not only clean water to drink but having the home as clean as possible. On Tuesday afternoon (February 27), it was the first time since last Friday they sent out a water truck.”
The water supply had only returned that Tuesday afternoon, she said.
Wendy Amon said she had only seen a water tanker in Atlantic Skipper Road five days after the water supply was cut.
“Everyone is affected in a different way, some people are without water for a week and some a couple of days. The struggle gets real when no water tanker is dispatched to the area.”
Mr Quintas said Hout Bay’s water problems were a grave concern.
“I initiated a series of pipe-replacement programmes, which began two years ago, and will continue over the next several financial years. These pipe-replacement programmes in different areas have been informed by the statistics on frequency of bursts as well as water wasted.
“Hout Bay’s infrastructure is ageing, and with repeated bursts, there are many new connections of existing pipes. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. This applies to the water reticulation system as well. The water pressure required to move water uphill is tremendous. This means that lower lying areas see bursts due to pressure on the pipes.”
The water pressure, however, was needed to get water up to homes on the highest slopes of the Hout Bay valley, he added.
“The City’s pipe-replacement programme, which is under way, is also complemented by a programme of installing pressure-release valves in order to mitigate against pressure build-ups and also to allow for smaller isolation areas when needing to turn water off and repair pipes,” Mr Quintas said.
The City said its water and sanitation teams had dealt with 429 service requests logged in Hout Bay since the beginning of February.
