Water Outage

Date Released: Wed, 20 March 2013 11:26 +0200

The water outage in Grahamstown has been as a result of the following:

Management of the water reticulation valves has not been good with the result that high pressure and low pressure zones have been created. This has led to the pipe bursts all over town as a result of the unequal hydraulic pressures in the reticulation system.

The present town wide  water outage is as a result of a major pipe burst at the Howiesons Poort  pump station that occurred last Thursday evening. The ruptured pipe is the main feeder pipe from the dam and  a major welding job was required. Professionals from PE were brought in to effect the repairs. The welded repair again ruptured on Sunday and the work had to be rewelded. When the large water pump was switched on to get the water to flow to the filter beds at Waainek this malfunctioned and is now the cause of the continuous water outage. As soon as this is repaired water should start to flow again but no time can be given.  

The following areas have water and flushing toilets:

1. Barratt Lecture Theatre
2. Drama
3. Great Hall
4. Steve Biko Building
5. Grounds & Gardens

The water being supplied by the Grounds and Gardens  tankers at present, is for toilets and for cooking purposes only i.e. it is NOT considered advisable to drink. Please continue to use available water sparingly.

Dr Vivian de Klerk
DEAN OF STUDENTS