Minister Mchunu upbeat about progress made on the construction of Reservoir and 36 km bulk-pipeline in Moretele
Over 52 thousand households in the Moretele Local Municipality in North West stand to benefit with sustainable, reliable and continuous supply of potable water from the Moretele South Bulk Water Supply Scheme project currently being implemented in the area.
Minister Senzo Mchunu yesterday, 29 June 2023 visited the sites of a 25 megalitre per day (ml/d) Reservoir in Dilopye Village and a 36.2 km bulk pipeline in Mogogelo, to witness the construction of the infrastructure which started last month. This is Phase 3 of the bulk water project, which will ensure reliable supply of potable water to the far west of Moretele Municipality.
The sites visit near Hammanskraal, was part of the launch of ‘Operation Bulela Metsi’ which occurred in two different places simultaneously. Minister Mchunu unveiling the project in Mathibestad, Moretele, whilst North West Acting Premier, Nono Maloyi officiated the occasion in Tlhabane, Rustenburg Local Municipality. The Minister was accompanied by the District Mayor of Bojanala, Cllr Sherley Mabe-Huma and Mayor of Moretele Local Municipality, Cllr George Manyike.
The ‘Operation Bulela Metsi’ project is an outcome of a multi-sectoral structure set up by Minister Mchunu and the North West Premier to address water and sanitation challenges in the province. This project ensued after the Minister and the Premier established a steering committee to conduct an assessment on the state of water and sanitation services provision in the province, and to further develop measures to address the challenges and ensure sustainable provision of services.
The Moretele South Bulk Water Supply Scheme is a multi-phased project being implemented by the Department of Water and Sanitation’s entity Magalies Water. A total of R640 617 000 has been budgeted for the scheme from the Department’s Regional Bulk infrastructure Grant (RBIG).
Phase 1 of the project was an upgrade of the Klipdrift Water Treatment Works from 18ml/d to 42ml/d which was completed in 2022. The phase was to ensure that there is adequate potable water from the treatment plant that will be transferred to various networks of reservoirs and bulk pipelines, and ultimately to communities.
Phase 2 consisted of 30 kilometres bulk pipeline from the treatment plant towards the far west end of Moretele, while Phase 3 that is currently under construction, started in June 2023, and its completion is anticipated for June 2024.
Upon completion, Phase 3, which is the construction of a reservoir and bulk pipeline, will ensure reliable supply of drinking water to among others, seven villages identified in far west of Moretele including Swartdam; Noroki; Ratsiepane; Moeka; Ga-Motle; Kromkuil and Mmakaunyana.
The villages, though some have reticulation from the Moretele municipality (the municipality is a water service authority), depended on unreliable sources for drinking water including boreholes, water sold from private water tankering and rainwater harvesting, due to inconsistent provision from the current system.
The 25 ml/d reservoir will have capability to store excess water above the daily required demand and ensure sustained reliable supply to its network of communities uninterrupted.
Minister Mchunu pleaded with the community for patience, indicating that soon water will come to their households.
“We went see the site where the reservoir and the trench of the 36 or so Kilometre pipeline are being constructed and are satisfied with the progress. Although we would have loved to come and tell you that we have completed the work and water is being reticulated, we are happy that we are very close to that. This phase will be completed by June next year,” said Minister Mchunu, addressing community at Mathibestad’s Lepono Sport Grounds.
Meanwhile, Acting Premier Maloyi visited the Boitekong Sewer Pumpstation Outfall Sewer and the Tlhabane Outfall Sewer in the Rustenburg Local Municipality to assess progress on the project being implemented to address sewerage spillages. The area of Tlhabane is notorious for sewer spillages including the blocked outfall sewer which is a long-standing challenge. The upgrading of the pipelines has commenced on 1 June 2023 and the project is anticipated to be completed on 30 January 2024.
Enquiries:
Wisane Mavasa
Cell: 060 561 8935
E-mail: mavasaw@dws.gov.za.
