The elevation of the R31 Road at Wildebeestkuil, where water amassed from leaking municipal pipelines, and the proposed treatment and conveyance of water to the Vaal River are only some of the measures to curtail problems caused by the amassed water.
To remedy the cause of the problem, the Sol Plaatje Municipality in Kimberley will have to comply with directives issued by the department of water and sanitation, and repair or replace damaged bulk water infrastructures.
So says Sputnik Ratau, the department’s spokesperson.
“Numerous directives have been issued over the past five years as leaks, spillages and discharges were observed. The municipality responded with action plans within their available resources. The initial directives focused on sewage spills, but since 2020 potable water leaks are the major contributors to water leaking into the pans.
“The last directive was issued in July that required the municipality to stop discharging sewage and partially treated effluent from the Homevale Wastewater Treatment Works, pumpstations and manholes, and repair leaks from potable water systems and unblock stormwater systems.
“The municipality responded with an action plan with timeframes, responsibilities, and financial requirements to comply with the directive. The timeframes are short, medium, and long-term as the required resources and funding need to be secured.”
There is still water runoff from sewerage systems, as well as potable water and groundwater flowing into the pan systems, he says. The volume and quality are variables based on the contribution from the different sources.
“Summer weather reduces the flows due to evapotranspiration, but imminent rainfall will contribute through stormwater runoff.
“Proper inflow measurements to the pans and the level of the pans are implemented to ensure information is available. The municipality is considering emergency dams to intercept the leaks and discharges prior to ponding into the pans.”
Ratau says there is a proposal to discharge the water from the Wildebeestkuil and Platfontein pans systems to the Vaal River.
“This plan requires environmental and water use authorisation applications that can take up to 90 days prior to implementation. The proposed plan will unfortunately not address the cause of the problem but could reduce the risk of ponding in the pans and flooding of the R31.”
The release of the water can only proceed after authorisation. The rainy season will contribute to the growing water mass and that is why inflow measurements and pan levels are important.
“There were no deadlines set for the discharge to the Vaal River through the Wildebeeskuil and Platfontein pans.
