Question NW3110 to the Minister of Water and Sanitation

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30 October 2017 - NW3110

Profile picture: Basson, Mr LJ

Basson, Mr LJ to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation

What are the details of (a) the cost of the new technology implemented by Bloem Water to reduce electricity use, (b) the savings made in each month as a result of the implementation of the specified technology, (c) the total savings made since the implementation of the specified technology, (d) the running cost of the specified technology and (e) how the specified technology works?

Reply:

(a) The total cost for the Hydro Power project including (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical and Automation) amounted to R 2 604 215.00, this cost includes a Turbine which cost R1 000 000.00.

(b) An average monthly saving of R2 528.93 has been realised towards the Electricity costs of the Bloem Water Head Office block, these has been realised since the Hydro Power has been operational; especially during peak months of the winter season from 2016 to date.

(c) A total savings of R40 462.84 has been realised in the past 16 months, this includes the months where the Hydro Power was not operational because of the maintenance or repair activities.

(d) The total running costs, including repairs and maintenance over the past 16 months is R 162 721.00 [this includes some of the changes made during the first year of implementing the project where operational challenges were experienced as it was the first time such a project is implemented at any organisation (technology wise) in South Africa].

(e) The Brandkop Hydropower plant is a research project launched by Bloem Water in partnership with the Water Research Commission (WRC) and the University of Pretoria capable of producing 90kw/h of electricity used by the Head Office of Bloem Water. This is achieved through the use of the purified water passing through the pipeline before entering the main Reservoir Brandkop. The quality of treated water during the process is not compromised. The entire operation is controlled and monitored automatically by means of Programmable Logic Controllers and Telemetry systems which are operated at one of Bloem Water’s Treatment Works (Welbedacht Dam 150km away) by Process Controllers 24hrs, 7days a week.

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