The Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs together with the Premier of Mpumalanga will launch the Bloemendal bulk water project in Delmas on 16 July 2013. This project is in the Victor Khanye Local Municipality, one of six local municipalities within the Nkangala District Municipality.
The bulk water project is part of the government’s drive to bring services to the people of the country. Delmas is particularly critical as it has in the past had serious challenges of water as well as those of water-borne diseases. The launch of this bulk water project will go a long way in addressing these and ensuring there is no repeat of such challenges.
The available volume of water over time has been inadequate to supply Delmas with a constant supply especially in the dry seasons. The construction of the Bloemendal pipeline will now address the water shortages for Delmas while allowing for future growth and development. The project is designed to supply 25Ml/d (potable water) and is sufficient to meet water demand in the service area up to 2026. The new project incorporates a 10Ml reservoir located at mid-point of the new pipeline and is designed to improve system operation as well.
With the introduction of the Bloemendal – Delmas pipeline the water distribution network is being reconfigured such that the Rand Water connection at Modder-Oos Reservoir supplies water to the reservoirs at Sundra and Ellof. The Modder-Oos Reservoir amounts to 1.825 mil m3/a. This area has 1367 households. The yield from the boreholes which can provide up to 3.5 mil m3/a is retained to supply Botleng extension 3, 4, 5, 6 and the extension 7 which is yet to be developed. This scheme will serve 7640 households, a further 1 406 households will be added into this system as part of the planned Extension 7 of Botleng.
The project will have further impact on the other areas within the Municipality. The Bloemendal –Delmas pipeline will service Delmas (town), Delmas West, Delmas Extension 1-7, Scheme 88, Delpark, Delpark Extension 2 & 4, Botleng Proper and Mandela informal settlement. The total number of households in this service area is 6880. More importantly, the Water Distribution network is designed such that all the water distribution zones are interconnected
The communities in the outlying Municipal areas like Hawerklip situated approximately 21 km South East from Delmas and Groenfontein situated 34km North East from Delmas, are currently receiving water by means of water tankers. Boreholes are planned to be drilled for these communities in order to have a non-interrupted water supply. This is how communities in the area will really be benefitting.
Those communities living on privately owned lands that do not have access to basic services remain a challenge to the Municipality. This is due to the question of whether the owner is relevant to provide services. Currently, these small communities are serviced by means of water tankers from the Municipality. This service will continue.
The Municipality has serious challenges around the matter of water conservation and demand management. These challenges are primarily as a result of household leakages. To ensure the water supply during the high demand periods, the VKLM rations the water supply between 5h00 and 11h00 as well as 16h00 and 21h00 so as to reduce the water loss and elevate the water levels in the reservoirs to levels that will ensure water supply at Botleng Extensions 4, 5 and 6 which are high lying areas at almost the same elevation as the reservoir.
All media are informed of the launch of the project and are invited.
Details of the launch are as follows:
Date: 16 July 2013
Venue: Victor Khanye Local Municipality, Delmas, Mpumalanga.
Time: 8h00 to 13h30
For information contact:
Sputnik Ratau
Cell: 082 874 2942
E-mail: rataus@dwa.gov.za
Brian Khoza
Cell: 082 600 5666
E-mail: KhozaB@dwa.gov.za
