DWS implements water project to benefit drought-stricken Graaff-Reinet

The Department of Water and Sanitation continues with its mission to bring relief to drought-stricken areas in the Eastern Cape.

One such project is the Graaf-Reinet Emergency Bulk Supply Scheme in the Dr Beyers Naude Local Municipality, which has been funded R71,8 million through the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG) to address water challenges in Graaf-Reinet.

The project consists of the upgrading of the ground water supply to the town of Graaff Reinet.

The Department’s spokesperson Sputnik Ratau says the funding allocation for the project was spilt over several financial years, starting in 2016 when the supply scheme project commenced.

“Phase 1 of the Graaff Reinet Emergency Water Supply Scheme was completed in August 2020, while phase 2 is currently underway,” said Ratau

He explained that phase 1 of the project included the refurbishing and equipping of old boreholes and the drilling of new ones.

“Contractors also installed new collector pipelines between the boreholes and reservoir and constructed a 1.5Mℓ balancing reservoir in Northern Well Field, and a 315mm Ø rising main from the Northern Borehole Well Field to the Water Treatment Works,” he said.

Phase 2 consists of the construction of a new Umasizakhe pipeline (gravity and rising main) and bulk meter installation.

“The development of an Integrated Water Use License Application (IWULA) is yet to be completed, while further equipping of new boreholes drilled in Camdeboo Park and cleaning of all sites continues,” Ratau added.

He said infrastructure vandalism is a major setback in the second phase of the project.

“We call on the community of Graff-Reinet to protect the infrastructure and report any acts of vandalism to local authorities as further delays of the project means inadequate water supply for the community,” he concluded.

Source: Government of South Africa