Durban: Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina has marked World Water Day by officially handing over a newly upgraded Garden Route Dam raw water pump station to the George Local Municipality in the Western Cape. The unveiling took place on Saturday, with the project forming part of the Budget Facility Water Project being implemented at the municipality.
According to South African Government News Agency, the improved Garden Route Pump Station and its associated infrastructure include the replacement of an old 600-millimetre diameter pipe with a new 800-millimetre diameter steel outlet pipe, substantially increasing the raw water pumping capacity into the balancing dam. Furthermore, two 1,250 kilovolt-amperes generators have been installed to ensure uninterrupted pumping during power outages.
This initiative is part of 12 sub-projects under the Water Security and Remedial Works Project in the municipality. With a total value exceeding R1.1 billion, the project is funded by the National Treasury’s Budget Facility for Infrastructure through the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant from the Department of Water and Sanitation. The department allocated funds to the municipality for implementation over four years, with the George Municipality contributing an additional R305 million, bringing the total budget to R1.4 billion. The multi-phase project commenced in 2022 and is expected to conclude by December 2025.
During the event, Minister Majodina emphasized that the project’s completion at George Municipality reaffirms the government’s commitment to expanding access to safe drinking water. “George municipality is rapidly growing with the current daily potable water demand of 38 megalitres per day, projected to increase to 106 megalitres per day over the next 50 years. Today is a demonstration of our commitment to ensure that we meet the rising water demand occasioned by rapid population growth,” she stated.
The project exemplifies a successful inter-departmental collaboration between national, provincial, and local governments, ensuring a sustainable water supply for future generations. George Municipality Mayor Jacqueline von Brandis expressed gratitude to the Minister and the department for the funding, highlighting the economic and socio-economic opportunities it unlocks for the tourism-oriented municipality. She praised the intergovernmental success and the instrumental role of the BFI grant in securing the city’s water needs for future generations.
Currently, George Municipality provides water services to over 294,942 residents across 85,931 households in 28 wards, including areas like Pacaltsdorp, Thembalethu, and coastal regions such as Kleinkrantz, Wilderness, Victoria Bay, Herold’s Bay, and Gwaing. The municipality has seen significant population growth, necessitating improved water security and resilience through the 12-phase project.
Key aspects of the project include an increase in the security of raw water supply to the Garden Route Dam and raw water balancing dams, as well as an expansion of two Water Treatment Works’ capacity from 38 megalitres per day to 60 megalitres per day through new construction and upgrades. Upgrades to the Kaaimans River raw water pump station will enhance water supply and storage.
The project’s scope encompasses various upgrades, including a new 20 ml/d water treatment works, construction of a sludge treatment plant, rehabilitation of old water treatment facilities, and installation of new pump stations and reservoirs across different areas in George. The department noted that the project will support residential and commercial developments in George and future development areas to the east of Thembalethu and the south of Pacaltsdorp, ensuring reliable water services for new residential and commercial sites.