New Water Supply Distribution Zones in the pipeline for Pacaltsdorp
In the photo is the visit to the East distribution zone site visit, from left: Councillor Jacqulique von Brandis (Portfolio Councillor for Civil Engineering: Capital Projects and BFI), Alderman Leon van Wyk (Executive Mayor of George), and Janie Koegelenberg (Director of Civil Engineering Services)
The George Municipality is pleased to announce that a multi-million-rand water storage expansion project aimed at ending sporadic water supply interruptions in Pacaltsdorp is taking off as the process of inviting potential contractors has commenced. Divided into two, the project will have a 14,5 megalitre (ML) reservoir and pump station in the West distribution one, and a 3 ML reservoir, elevated tower, and pump station in the East distribution zone.
This is great news for the community as it will ensure a more consistent water supply. On Tuesday, 19 September 2023, the Executive Mayor of George, Alderman Leon van Wyk accompanied by the Portfolio Councillor for Civil Engineering: Capital Projects and BFI Jacqulique von Brandis, and the Director of Civil Engineering Services Janie Koegelenberg visited the sites for the East and West water supply distribution zones for Pacaltsdorp.
According to Mayor van Wyk, this development will come as a relief to the residents and businesses in Pacaltsdorp who have been struggling with water supply shortages for some time. “The project will ensure that the water supply is stable and reliable, which will have a positive impact on the local economy. We are looking forward to seeing the positive impact this development will have on the community of Pacaltsdorp and its surrounds.”
Pacaltsdorp is located south of the main centre of George and south of the N2. The current population is approximately 20,000 people using an average of 3,5 million litres of purified water per day. Andre Scheepers, the project manager for Budget Facility for Infrastructure in the Civil Engineering Services Department of the George Municipality says Pacaltsdorp is estimated to grow to approximately 150,000 over the next 45 years, which will then use 21,5 million litres of purified water per day.
Giving background information on the existing water supply system and infrastructure for Pacaltsdorp Scheepers said the Pacaltsdorp water supply zones receive bulk purified water through two existing bulk pipelines of approximately 12 km in length each, originating from the George Main reservoirs situated close to the water treatment plants. The bulk pipelines provide water to various parts of George before it reaches Pacaltsdorp. “The Pacaltsdorp residents are vulnerable to water supply shortages due to the current limited dedicated reservoir storage (3 ML) located at the Pacaltsdorp Sports field and being reliant on the two very long bulk supply pipelines, which frequently experience supply interruptions,” Scheepers added.
The George Municipality has found a long-lasting solution to the Pacaltsdorp water supply and storage challenges. According to Jannie Koegelenberg, Director of the Civil Engineering Services Department, the Pacaltsdorp water supply area will soon have two distribution zones, West and East, each with its own dedicated reservoirs for adequate storage, elevated towers for pressure assurance, and pump stations to provide assurance of purified water supply for the next 50 years. By June 2025, both zones will be equipped with these essential facilities to ensure a reliable water supply.
“The Pacaltsdorp West supply zone will be receiving a first phase 14,5 ML reservoir and first phase pump station by June 2025, when this infrastructure will be put into operation and be connected to the existing reservoir and existing tower. The project will be constructed adjacent to and immediately south of the sports grounds,” Koegelenberg added.
Koegelenberg says the Pacaltsdorp East supply zone will be receiving a 3 ML reservoir, an elevated tower and a pump station before June 2025, when this infrastructure will be put into operation and be connected to the existing east zone water reticulation.
Future phases will consist of the construction of another 14,5Ml reservoir, a second phase pump station upgrade and elevated towers. The project for the 14,5 ML reservoir and pump station is currently out on tender for contractors to bid for the construction thereof. The project value cannot be divulged at the moment as such information might potentially interfere with the tender process. Thanks to the new development, residents in the area can look forward to significant investment into Pacaltsdorp and create job opportunities for Small Emerging Construction firms and for unskilled labour and in the long term bring a stable water supply for years to come.
West distribution zone site visit, from left: Janie Koegelenberg (Director of Civil Engineering Services), Councillor Jacqulique von Brandis (Portfolio Councillor for Civil Engineering: Capital Projects and BFI), and Alderman Leon van Wyk (Executive Mayor of George).
