Water has been restored to communities in the western parts of Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape following a burst water pipe.

On 31 January 2015 the water supply was disrupted due to a burst 500mm diameter pipeline that draws water from the Botha’s Hill reservoir.

The burst pipeline affected supplies to Extensions 1 – 7, Joza Street, Vukani, Xolani, Tantyi, Mary Waters, Fingo Village, Makanaskop, Newton, KwaNdancma, Ghost Town, Hooggenoeg, Mayfield Phase 2 and Transit Camp.

As a result of the disruption and to alleviate the difficulties of communities affected, the municipality mobilised a tanker service to provide the necessary water supplies while repairs were underway.

The Amatola Water Board was brought in to urgently ensure the restoration of supplies, working with the local municipality as a means of enhancing the capacity in the municipality.

“The department and partners can now report that the repair work was duly completed on the evening of Thursday.

“The pipeline was recharged on Friday and the distribution pipelines are recharging currently, returning supplies to normal,” said the Department of Water and Sanitation.

It thanked the affected communities for their patience during the breakdown of services.

The department said it will continue to work with and assist the Makana local municipality to ensure that more effective protocols are put in place in order to adequately respond to breakdowns in the future and reinstate supplied in the shortest possible time.

“Communities must continue to report any breakdown/s immediately to the municipality to ensure such timeous responses as well,” said the department.

–SAnews.gov.za