Oversight Visit by Western Cape Government -a Resounding Success
Link to Video Clip MEC Anton Bredell Oversight Visit 31 August 2022 https://youtu.be/e6K5y64rE4c
Link to Video Clip EM Leon Van Wyk WC Oversight Visit 31 August 2022 https://youtu.be/-dknYuvudpg
Minister Anton Bredell Western Cape MEC for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, yesterday applauded George Municipality for setting a leading example within the Western Cape by ensuring adequate long-term planning and investment in those resources – that is water, sewerage and electricity – which are required to keep our economy working.
MEC Bredell joined Daylin Mitchell, Western Cape Minister for Mobility, Executive Mayor Leon Van Wyk, Deputy Mayor Raybin Figland and a delegation including members of the George Mayoral Committee, Municipal Manager Dr Michele Gratz, senior officials and contractors on Wednesday, 31 August 2022 in an oversight visit to the 20 Ml/d extension to the New Water Treatment Works (New WTW).
Executive Mayor Leon Van Wyk viewed the foundation and steelworks construction taking place and was impressed by a three-dimensional presentation which gave insight into the finished product. “The presentation highlighted the complexity of this multi-year project which will see R263 million in civil engineering construction works and approximately R220 million spent on the mechanical and electrical works,” he said.
George Municipality received a Budget Facility for Infrastructure Funding (BFI) grant to the value of R1.107 billion from National Treasury and the BFI projects and sub-projects have shown significant progress and expenditure in the 2021/22 financial year, with the remaining funding tranches to be provided over the next thirty-six (36) months.
George Municipality provides water services to over 212 120 people from 62 722 households (STATSSA 2017) across 28 wards including the coastal areas of Kleinkrantz, Wilderness, Victoria Bay, Herolds Bay and Gwaing in the city of George area. The objectives of the project are to ensure the ability to provide adequate potable water for the current population and for future developments, to provide security of water supply, to support social and economic development and to reduce water pollution.
Updates on the Potable Water Security and Remedial Works components funded by BFI
The project consists of 12 components, some of which will be executed in more than one construction phase.
Component 1 and 3
The refurbishment of the existing Sludge Discharge System Phase 1 and 2 will take place at the Eden, Meul and Schaapkop Sewage Pumpstations and will include a new treatment facility at the water treatment works.
Status: The residual de-watering facility construction is progressing well and current focus is on the concrete works including the tank bases. Work was completed on the Schaapkop Donga Stabilisation Project. Construction took place to stabilise and rehabilitate the slope on the riverbank to protect the pump station from an encroaching donga and create a safe working space for the pump station construction to proceed.
Phase 1:The first phase of the upgrading and refurbishment of the Meul sewer pumpstation has commenced. This contract includes a new Motor Control Centre at the Eden Sewage pump station. Civil construction on the Meul Sewage Pumpstation is progressing well, while the mechanical designs and manufacturing are also on track. Emergency works had to be carried out at the Eden Sewage Pumpstation to install new gate valves and non-return valves and which included the construction of a temporary emergency storage dam. The Schaapkop Sewage Pumpstation construction has been delayed due to a supply chain issue and will commence when the matter is resolved.
Phase 2:Consultants have been appointed for the design of the second phase of the pump station upgrades of the three sewage pump stations.
Component 2
The 20 Ml/d treatment plant extension to the New Water Treatment Works (New WTW) is component 2 of the 12.
Status: The first contract valued at R263 million has been awarded for the civil engineering construction and construction has commenced on site. The tender for the mechanical, electrical and instrumentation (MEI) works has closed and will be awarded shortly. This component is the largest single component of the BFI project and is valued at approximately R500 million.
Earthworks are almost completed, with the major excavation for the WTW extension consisting of some 20 000 metric cubes of earth material to be stockpiled on site for re-use elsewhere on other components of the BFI project as well as other possible municipal projects. Placing of concrete commenced recently and for this purpose two tower cranes of 23m and 18m height respectively were installed on site.
The construction on the 600m long clear water HDPE pipeline of 900mm diameter will be able to start soon as the updated environmental management plant has been approved. The forestry permit is still required to be issued before construction can start fully.
Component 4
The Upgrading of Garden Route Dam Outlet and Supply project includes the replacement of the existing 600 mm diameter raw water pipeline from the intake tower at the Garden Route Dam to the raw water pumpstation, with a new 800 mm diameter stainless steel pipeline to accommodate a higher flowrate in accordance with the future raw water flow requirements.
Status: The design is progressing well and tenders will be advertised in the latter of 2022/23 financial year.
Component 5
2 x 1100 kVA generators will be installed at the Garden Route Dam raw water pumpstation. This will mean that during loadshedding or any other power outage, raw water can continue to be pumped uninterrupted to the Water Treatment Works for processing for drinking water supply.
Status: The construction contract has been awarded and construction will commence soon.
Component 6
A new additional 30 mega litre raw water storage balancing dam will be constructed, together with a 3.4km long 600mm diameter raw water pipeline which will be installed to secure sufficient raw water storage for supply to the New Water treatment plant (11th Avenue, Denneoord). The new raw water dam will supplement the existing storage dams for provision of raw water to the two treatment plants.
Status: The preliminary design process has been completed with consideration of two alternative positions in order to select the most cost-effective solution. Final designs and procurement of a Contractor will commence soon.
Component 7
The rehabilitation of the Old Water Treatment Works, located at 9th Avenue Denneoord will allow for the refurbishment of the 25 Ml/d treatment plant which is currently operating at only 20.5 Ml/ per day.
Status: This component consists of four separate contracts and the tenders were advertised towards the end of 2021. Construction is under way at the Old WTW and some condition assessments of the existing infrastructure have necessitated design changes at the start of the contract, causing unforeseen delays. The planning for the air extraction from the filter galleries is under way and equipment is being designed. Construction is due to commence in September 2022. The first shipment of filter media arrived in June 2022 and fence construction is under way.
Component 8
Refurbishment of the Kaaimans River Pumpstation equipment will include the replacement of 2 x 100l/s pump sets, 2 x 50 to 100 l/s VSD pump sets, and 2 x 0 to 25 l/s VSD pump sets, with appropriate new pump sets, and includes the replacement of electrical control equipment. The Kaaimans Pumpstation discharges into the Garden Route Dam and can supply approximately 25% of the raw water requirement during periods of good rainfall.
Status: Site inspections have taken place and alternative pumps are being investigated. Durable pumps that are resistant to the abrasion caused by suspended material in the raw river water are required.
Component 9 and 10
The new 14,5 Ml Pacaltsdorp West Reservoir; 3 Ml Pacaltsdorp East Reservoir, 300 kl Tower and pumpstation will address the inadequate emergency and balancing storage in this suburb.
Status: The design process is progressing well and tenders will be advertised during the latter part of 2022/23. The detailed design process will be addressed in parallel to ensure compliance with all environmental requirements and the land re-zoning processes.
Component 11 and 12
A new pumpstation and control valves will be provided at the existing Thembalethu West reservoir and tower; a new 8 Ml Thembalethu East Reservoir, 1000 kl tower and pumpstation will provide adequate potable water storage, and increase security of potable water supply to Thembalethu as well as provide capacity to meet future development water demands.
Status: The design process is progressing well and tenders will be advertised during the latter part of 2022/23.