PROJECT / CHALLENGES

INTERVENTION/ PROGRESS

The Vaal Gamagara BWS Project:

Phase 1 entails the refurbishment and replacement of an 80-kilometre pipeline which

To address challenges regarding the Vaal Gamagara Bulk Water Supply Scheme; the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has put

in place an intervention as follows:

PROJECT / CHALLENGES

INTERVENTION/ PROGRESS

become necessary due to the pipeline having reached the end of its functional lifespan. The revised cost of Phase 1 amounts to R1.4 billion. The implementing Agent for the project, the Sedibeng Water Board is currently facing financial and liquidity crisis due to non-payment for services by the municipalities. This has also negatively impacted on the entity’s ability to continue with the implementation of the project.

• In terms of Treasury Regulation 6.3.1 and section 5 of the Appropriation Act, an additional R294.278 million was allocated for the completion of Phase 1.

• Phase 2: Established a Project Steering Committee (PSC) that comprises of Private Sector on large infrastructure build projects, the Northern Cape Mines Leadership Forum. The PSC has an oversight role to consider, advise, assist, and make decisions on any business relating to the VGGWSS.

• Initiated several discussions with different bodies for a collaborative institutional arrangement for the sustainable development of the VGGWSS.

Giyani Water Services Project;

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is currently implementing the bulk water services project to address water supply challenges in 55 villages in Giyani. The project includes the construction of 8 bulk pipelines with a total length of 325km in to 55 villages. The current overall progress of the project is at48%. It is envisaged that it will be completed and commissioned by end of March 2023.

However, it should be noted that the impact of the project will be realised progressively during the implementation as the pipelines should practically be completed and delivering bulk water to the service reservoirs in the villages from October 2021.

There are currently two pipelines that are are delivering bulk water to service reservoirs in the town of Giyani and the following four villages: Thomo, Mninginisi Block 2, Mhlava and Muyexe. An estimated 11081 households are benefiting from these pipelines.

The Mopani District Municipality has a mandate to ensure availability of functional reticulation to all the villages for distribution of bulk water from the service reservoirs to the households once bulk distribution is completed.

The DWS is supporting the Municipality through the Water Services Infrastructure Grant (WSIG) to augment other funding that the municipality is allocated to address water services infrastructure needs, including the reticulation. For this purpose, the department has allocated R42 million for

2021/22 and a further R162 million will be allocated over the MTEF period.

Vaal River System Intervention:

Cabinet approved the Vaal River System Intervention in the Emfuleni Local Municipality through Section 63 (2) of the Water Services Act, 1997 (Act No. 108 of 1997) on the 26 May 2021. The intervention plan for the water and sanitation infrastructure in the Emfuleni LM.

The DWS appointed Rand Water in terms of Section

63 of the Water Services Act to undertake management, operations and maintenance of the water and sanitation infrastructure in order to rehabilitate Vaal river integrated system and simultaneously capacitate the municipality to manage operations.

PROJECT / CHALLENGES

INTERVENTION/ PROGRESS

The project is part of the immediate scope of works that will be undertaken by Rand Water. A panel of contractors for civil engineering services was appointed in June 2021. Mechanical and Electrical engineering services will be appointed early in 2022. The project includes the upgrade of Sebokeng, Rietspruit and Leeuwkuil WWTWs and completion of the Meyerton WWTW.