The City of Cape Town’s R162 million Baden Powell Drive bulk water pipeline project, which will strengthen supply to thousands of Khayelitsha residents, is on track for completion in March 2022 – if not sooner. Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Waste Alderman Xanthea Limberg visited the site recently to check on the progress.
Fast facts about the major Baden Powell Drive bulk water pipeline project:
A new 6km pipeline with a diameter ranging from 1 200mm to 800mm is being installed between the Faure bulk water pipeline and Khayelitsha.
An estimated 1 410 litres of water per second will be transferred into the existing water reticulation system in Khayelitsha.
Overall project progress currently stands at 85% complete.
The City is pleased to report that work on the Baden Powell Drive bulk water project is progressing well.
The new infrastructure will strengthen supply and boost water pressure to the eastern sections of Khayelitsha, which have seen rapid growth recently. The full Khayelitsha area is currently supplied by the bulk main on the north-western side, some distance from the eastern region.
During peak demand hours, the newly established households, mainly in the eastern area, have experienced low water pressure. Significant unplanned growth has compromised optimal water pressure to the area, along with a rapid increase in illegal connections throughout Khayelitsha. These connections, together with the sudden and unanticipated demand increase, and distance from the existing main supply along the N2, have accelerated the need for implementation of this project.
The City’s growth modeling had projected that a new water pipeline on the Eastern edge of Khayelitsha would be needed to accommodate anticipated growth in the area in the future, but the project was expedited following large scale land invasions recently.
In addition to the major bulk pipeline installation, which has been mostly completed, the project involves construction of a Pressure Management Station which is under way. The design specifications of this project have been motivated by the priority for long-term service, and this infrastructure is expected to serve the area well for the next 100 years.
‘This project has made great strides despite being riddled with challenges, including three excavators being torched during protest action in the area, at a cost of R4 million each, as well as a land invasion that required the engineers to redesign the route of the bulk water pipeline.
‘This R162 million project is progressing well and potentially ahead of schedule, so I commend the entire team who pushed ahead with this important work that supports current residents and future development in Khayelitsha. The City will continue to pursue opportunities to enhance service delivery in Khayelitsha,’ said the City’s Water and Waste Mayoral Committee Member, Alderman Xanthea Limberg.
Thus far, 23 local job opportunities have been created, including positions of Community Liaison Officer, through the City’s Expanded Public Works Programme.
Source: City Of Cape Town