KARIEGA – Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s (NMBM) strategic R16 million investment in the Kelvin Jones Wastewater Treatment Plant in Kariega is delivering positive results, with the facility now operating at full capacity after years of challenges.
Executive Mayor Councillor Babalwa Lobishe conducted an oversight visit to the plant this week, highlighting the municipality’s commitment to infrastructure development that supports economic growth and protects existing industrial investments. “We are coming here with a good story to tell that after the floods there’s been lots of investment that the city has made out of its own coffers for the treatment works to be fully functional,” said Lobishe during her visit.
The plant, which serves several key industries including multinational companies such as Volkswagen South Africa, Kromberg & Schubert, and other automotive component manufacturers, had suffered significant damage over the past three years due to floods and vandalism, severely affecting its performance and impacting neighbouring industrial operations. Municipality spokesperson Sithembiso Soyaya confirmed that comprehensive mechanical and electrical refurbishment work has been completed, transforming the facility’s capabilities.
The R16 million multi-year investment, which began in the previous financial year, has seen R13 million already spent on critical infrastructure upgrades. The improvements include the construction of a new concrete platform housing new inlet works pump sets, and the installation of six new Gorman Rupp T10 Eradicator pumps powered by 45kW electric motors.
“Those pumps were non-existent in the past 24 months. And we have installed it so that we cap the outflow that spills into the industrial area,” Lobishe explained, noting that the system has been functional for more than 12 months.
The upgrades feature three pump sets per sump designed to handle peak wet weather conditions, operating in a two-duty, one-standby configuration. New HDPE and galvanised pipework has been installed, with HDPE components offering a 100-year design life that will result in long-term cost savings for the municipality. Additional improvements include new AVK knife valves for pipeline isolation during maintenance, and AVK swing check valves with counter-levers that indicate pump operation while preventing water hammer damage.
The plant now operates optimally at a capacity of 24 million litres per day, though it currently receives approximately 11 million litres daily, demonstrating significant spare capacity for future growth.
“We are fully aware of the ageing infrastructure and the growing population that continues to place increased demands on our systems. We are pleased that this infrastructure is now fully operational, and that disruptions to sanitation services for the people of Kariega and its industries will be a thing of the past,” said Lobishe.
The facility currently serves the entire Kariega area and parts of KwaNobuhle, with ambitious expansion plans for the future. The municipality intends to increase capacity to 30 million litres per day in the medium term and up to 50 million litres per day long-term, aligning with population growth and Kariega’s expanding economy.
The investment includes new motor boats for monitoring treatment pens, enabling early detection of technical faults and ensuring optimal performance. This comprehensive upgrade represents the municipality’s aggressive infrastructure investment strategy aimed at supporting the existing economy while attracting new investors to the region.
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