We had a very exciting and productive day yesterday. A visit from the Department of Water Affairs, sparked by the Tweespruit water shortage and a letter to the Dept of Water, led to the inspection of all the water leaks in Tweespruit and Ladybrand as well as an inspection of the reticulation plant in Tweespruit, sewage works, river system, storage dams and water works in Ladybrand. Tumi, from DEPT of Water, was dumb struck by the fact that we have so many water leaks in our towns. She mentions that her concern is not only for the water loss, but also that the water being lost is all water that has (supposedly) been treated and has cost us money to land in the pipes. Her next shock came when she realised that at our sewage plant in Ladybrand, the water is not treated with chlorine at present due to a broken part and no clear answer could be given as to when the next chlorine will be administered. When the sewerage lands up at the plant, it is swished around like in a mixing bowl, then drained into a settling pool. When the solids have settled the water runs into the treatment plant where the chlorine must be administered and then let into the stream that leads into the Cathcart dam for storage and use in time of drought. (that would be now in winter) from where it is treated at the water plant and pumped into town - hopefully fit for human consumption. Well because no chlorine is added, it is basically raw sewage water (minus the bits) that runs into the Cathcart dam. The Cathcart dam is overflowing as we speak - into a subsidiary that runs into the Caledon - an international incident waiting to happen At the water treatment plant, I was not allowed to accompany Tumi on her site inspection, but she was not impressed and said that her report will reflect all her concerns. What she did mention was that the testing equipment was not used at the treatment plant, so how the water is tested nobody knows. I feel hopeful that something good will come of this as the Dept of Water affairs have already laid down the rules for the municipality to get the pumps and boreholes working in Tweespruit.
Posted on: Fri, 27 Jun 2014 07:08:47 +0000
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