WATCH: Ekurhuleni unveils 5.5ML Northmead water tower
The MMC for Water and Sanitation, Thembi Msane, officially commissioned the towering 23-metre Northmead water tower on June 13, marking a major milestone in Ekurhuleni's efforts to improve water reliability.
Located on Hospital Road, the tower, which can hold 5.5 megalitres of water, is expected to alleviate longstanding issues of low pressure and erratic supply in several neighbourhoods across four wards, 23, 24, 27 and 28, benefiting more than 105 000 residents in Farrarmere, Brentwood, Airfield, North Villa and Northmead.
The total cost of the tower is R47 050 616.
Despite facing numerous challenges, including delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and technical issues such as leaks identified at the base and kicker of the tower during the January testing phase, the project, which began in 2017, has finally proven fruitful.
Marking the official start of the tower's use, a handover ceremony was held on site, attended by municipal officials, ward councillors, project stakeholders and a cheerful group of learners from Tom Newby School.
In a symbolic gesture of commitment to water conservation, the children left colourful handprints on the tower wall, a visual pledge to care for the resource and the infrastructure.
'We want the young ones to remember that every project the City of Ekurhuleni commissions belongs to them, the future generation. This is a call for them to take ownership and help protect our water infrastructure,' Msane said.
She added that the 5.5-megalitre tower is a game-changer for the City of Ekurhuleni.
'It will not only improve water pressure but also serve as a critical storage facility to boost the resilience of our bulk water system.'
Msane said the department remains committed to working with Rand Water to accelerate infrastructure upgrades and manage water shedding more effectively. 'We will continue ensuring that all complaints are resolved within the prescribed turnaround times and promote a strong culture of water conservation,' she said.
Ward 27 Councillor Lornette Joseph welcomed the commissioning as a win for local residents.
'The tower means residents will now have about 72 hours of stored water in the event of supply interruptions,' she said.
Lucky Kgohloane of Phitla Projects, which took over from another company in 2021, said the occasion was an exciting moment, as they've received magnificent financial support from the municipality since the beginning.
He commended the residents for their patience and for giving them a chance.
Also Read: FOLLOW-UP: Water tower filled but still not operational
Also Read: Water tower being filled, expect interruptions from 23:00 on Sunday
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