The vandalising and theft of water pumps and equipment at the Prince George Drive bulk sewer mains over the Easter weekend has caused a delay in repair work and ultimately the re-opening of the M5 which has been closed to traffic for weeks.
In a statement, Dr Zahid Badroodien, Mayco member for water and sanitation, confirmed the pumps were vandalised over the Easter weekend.
“Regrettably, over the Easter weekend the pumps were vandalised and the shoring material stolen. Additionally, the increased scope of the work based on findings when the pipe was fully exposed means that the anticipated completion date has been pushed back.
“Teams are working around the clock to complete the repair under difficult circumstances.”
He added that the deep-trenching repairs to the 990 mm diameter bulk sewer involves excavating more than five metres deep to enable the workers to get beneath the old pipe “as part of the overall assessment” which needs to be done before new pipe sections can be inserted.
“Mechanical excavation is limited to the extent of the reach of the digger loader used due to the confined space in which the work is being done. The maintenance crew reports that a further extension of the excavation was required due to the poor condition of the pipe.”
Chad Snell, regional operations manager from the Department of water and sanitation, explained what initially started out as a 5 metre x 4 metre collapse of a one-metre diameter bulk sewer started to expand to a 30 metre pipe replacement.
“We are using mechanical plant machinery and we exposed roughly 25 metres of the pipe with the last 5 metres to go with replacement pipe. We are positive that we are on track provided that there are no other challenges.”
He added that it was not an easy repair as there were many challenges including social challenges.
“It is completely complex in terms of the specialised equipment and the items we needed to bring in. We also had some social challenges that is currently affecting the work, the area is very volatile and as a result a contractor cannot work extended hours which we would like him to do.
“We acknowledge the fact that the work is taking extremely long, but we need to exercise extreme caution due to the depth that we are working which is about 5 metres.”
Meanwhile Ward 72 councillor Kevin Southgate, who visited the site on Friday 28 April, said new pipes had arrived on site.
“The deadline to complete everything by Sunday 30 April may have to be extended because there are various circumstances playing a role in the delay, including the weather.”
