THE multi-million Xonxa Dam bulk water augmentation project is finally completed, relieving the water crisis facing Komani – six years after work first started.
Pumping of water from the dam started on Monday this week.
Estimated at an original cost of R546 million, the project first commenced in 2014 with the aim of supplying water to Komani after the Bonkolo Dam – the main water source in the area – ran dry due to the severe and ongoing drought.
Delays are attributed to shoddy work and labour matters between subcontractors and its employees.
Komani-residents, facing severe water restrictions since 2016, have ever since relied on water from the Waterdown Dam in Whittlesea, which is currently at 18%.
Businesses have suffered as operations had to be limited due to water savings and water cuts.
Chris Hani District Municipality Spokesperson, Tobeka Mqamelo, said on Monday that pumping had resumed at Xonxa Dam, but the water would first be channelled to the Ezibeleni-based reservoir before being transferred to Berry Dam.
“A trickle of water has started coming through to Berry Dam, though pumping was interrupted by a power outage. The team is on standby to ensure that pumping is in full swing throughout the night,” said Mqamelo.
According to her, water was being pumped at a full capacity of 400 litres per second and it would take six hours to fill up the reservoir. However, it all depended on the availability of electricity. “The engineers tested the conveyance of water to Berry Dam and the test was successful. However, the pumping to the reservoir was interrupted by a power cut,” she said.
Nearing Day Zero, the municipality called for an urgent intervention from National Government which saw the humanitarian organisation, Gift of the Givers, supplying bottled water to the worst-affected areas.
The district authority further declared a sate of disaster, while Twizza recently provided residents with free water sourced from outside of the Komani area.
Amid the water shortage, many parts of Ezibeleni Township, Toptown, Sandringham, Sabata Township, Victoria Park and sections of the vast Mlungisi Township, hadn’t had water for weeks.
Henry Murphy of Victoria Park, said they last had water in November and the municipality was not providing any answers as to when service would be restored.
Another concerned resident, Asemahle Mpahleni, said in some instances she had to go to school without bathing, especially when writing her Grade 12 examinations.
Allan Schwartz said he had to close his business’s doors early because of water outages – something which affected production. On its Facebook page, the municipality said water tankers had been dispatched to help alleviate the situation in areas that were in dire need.
