The new bulk-water supply project for Tulbagh is on track.
The national Department of Water and Sanitation’s provincial head in the Western Cape, Ntombizanele Bila-Mupariwa, visited the site last week to check on how it is progressing.
The project is aimed at augmenting the water supply for the Witzenberg Municipality, and it was funded through a regional bulk-infrastructure grant from the national department.
Phase 1 of the project entails the construction of a dam and the next phase involves the construction of a pump station, and the project is scheduled for completion in June 2023.
Bila-Mupariwa said the department is happy with the progress made on the construction site.
“Phase 1 is 40% completed, which is great,” she said. “The project is on time, on budget and approved specification,” she said. Bila-Mupariwa further commended the teams involved in the construction, including the Witzenberg municipal officials, department officials and the developer.
David Nasson, Municipal Manager of Witzenberg, is excited to see the project become a reality. “The project is on time, and we are seeing value for money.”
Once the entire project is completed it will enable the development of the low-cost housing project. Furthermore, the project will also improve water security in the region and is creating much-needed jobs during construction.
The Witzenberg area experienced serious water problems during the 2004-’05 drought period, specifically in the town of Tulbagh.
“Climate change has made us aware that these occurrences are seasonal, so we must explore alternate water sources, such as recycled water and groundwater,” Bila-Mupariwa said. “By doing so, we can reduce heavy reliance on surface water.”
