With the intention of resolving water availability issues in Eastern Cape, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) in unison with the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) and Ndlambe Local Municipality is fast tracking the completion of Ndlambe Emergency Bulk Water project.
The project is comprised of the construction of a 2Ml per day Sea Water Reverse Osmosis Plant (SWROP) and a 3Ml per day Waste Water Reclamation Plant (WWRP) respectively, this undertaking that seeks to ensure sufficient and safe drinking water to communities of Port Alfred will cost a total of R172 230 390.07 million.
DWS through its Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG) has approved an amount of R80 million for construction purposes, COGTA has contributed R20 million towards fast tracking of the project and Ndlambe LM forked out R72,2 million of which R65 59 million is for operation and maintenance over a three year period.
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The much anticipated enterprise due to the drought circumstances that has hit the province of Eastern Cape commenced in January 2021 and was initially expected to be completed at the end of March 2021.
The completion timeframe was revised owing to a number of challenges such as rerouting of raw water supply, environmental approval of rerouting, electrical line route, existing pipe leaks and community protests.
The project has created 43 job opportunities for community members of Ndlambe Local Municipality and Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME’s) in the area have benefited through the awarding of various contracts. SWROP was completed towards the end of June 2021 and is delivering water at the moment.
The full capacity of 2Ml per day has not being reached but the contractor is currently busy optimizing the system and water production to reach the maximum capacity. The WWRP is at an advanced stage and is expected to be completed in September 2021.
Department of Water and Sanitation South Africa DWS_RSA These and other similar projects are a token of inter-governmental interventions that are aimed at addressing service delivery issues, particularly on issues of water security.
