Question NW34 to the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation

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13 March 2020 - NW34

Profile picture: Lees, Mr RA

Lees, Mr RA to ask the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation

What are the relevant details of the proposed Ladysmith (Spioenkop) Bulk Water Supply Scheme water purification works and pipelines in the Uthukela district of KwaZulu-Natal, including, but not limited to, the (a) communities to be serviced with water from the specified project, (b) funding required to complete the project, including (i) design work and environmental impact assessments, (ii) land purchase agreements and payments for land to be purchased, (iii) raw water extraction, (iv) water purification works and (v) bulk water pipelines, (c) projected completion dates for each stage of the project, (d) details of the reasons for the delays in making progress with the project and (e) details of all contractors and subcontractors appointed for the project to date and the contract amounts awarded for the project to date?

Reply:

The project entails construction of a regional water treatment works near the Spioenkop Dam to replace the existing Ladysmith Water Treatment Works and Ezakheni Water Treatment Works, as well as the replacement of the existing old bulk raw water pipeline from Spioenkop Dam to Ladysmith Town with a larger pipeline.

(a) Communities to be served with water from the project are people residing in Ladysmith Town and surroundings, including Ezakheni, St Chads, Steadville, informal settlement of Roosboom, Driefontein, Matiwaneskop, Jononoskop, Steincoalspruit (Inkunzi), Indaka LM, Okhahlamba, Imbabazane and Umtshezi LM.

(b) A preliminary cost estimate for the project is R1 941 894 392. The social component of the project, projected to cost R479 397 225 will be funded through the Regional Bulk and Infrastructure Grant (RBIG) by the Department of Water and Sanitation. A difference of R1 462 497 167 which is the economic component of the project sourced from co-funding as it constitutes. The uThukela District Municipality has committed to contribute R500 million towards the cost of the economic component and entered into negotiations with Umgeni Water to fund the shortfall.

(c) However, a detailed feasibility study is currently being undertaken by Umgeni Water. It may be necessary to revise the cost estimate may be will be revised upon completion of the feasibility study. It is estimated that detailed feasibility and implementation readiness studies, which commenced towards the end of 2019 will take 24 months. Therefore, it is anticipated that the project will be ready for implementation during the 2021/2022 financial year. The duration of planning and project implementation stages will be informed by the outcomes of the feasibility and implementation readiness studies.

(d) The project is currently at a feasibility study stage and no delays have been experienced so far.

(e) No contractors have been appointed because the project has not yet reached construction stage.

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