Oudtshoorn, 29 August 2024 – The Greater Oudtshoorn Municipality is pleased to announce a range of important projects aimed at improving water supply, sanitation, and infrastructure across our community. With over R23 million set aside, these projects include replacing old water pipes, upgrading sports grounds, and fixing roads and stormwater systems.
WATER AND SANITATION UPGRADES
NEW PIPES:
- The municipality is investing over R15 million to replace old asbestos pipes with modern PVC pipes across Wards 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8.
- Victoria Street, Rademeyer and Oostelike Road in Park Road: R4,793,100.00 is allocated for replacing asbestos pipes with PVC, funded by both Municipal Funds and the Department of Local Government (DLG).
- Wards 4, 6 & 8: An additional R10,897,100.00 is earmarked for replacing old asbestos cement pipes with PVC, funded through the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG).
RURAL WATER SYSTEMS:
- R2.5 million will be used to install new water systems in rural areas, including Buffelsdrift and De Hoop. This project is funded by the municipality.
KLEIN KAROO RURAL WATER SUPPLY SCHEME (KKRWSS) UPGRADES:
- Infrastructure Refurbishment and Upgrades: R6,086,956.52 is allocated for upgrading water infrastructure funded through the Water Services Infrastructure Grant (WSIG). Wards 2, 9, 10, 11, and 12, will benefit.
- Mechanical Equipment Replacement: R500,000.00 is designated for replacing mechanical equipment at treatment works. All wards will benefit.
- Catchment Management Plan: R300,000.00 will be spent on implementing this plan in the Raubenheimdam catchment area.
MAINTENANCE:
- Water Network Repairs: R3 million is allocated for fixing burst pipes, leaks, and other water network issues.
- Sewer Network Repairs: R1 million is dedicated to addressing sewer blockages and repairs.
LOOKING AT POSSIBLE FUTURE PLANS:
- Emergency Power Supply: The plan is to invest R20 million in an emergency power supply for the KKRWSS.
- New Pipeline: A new pipeline is planned to transfer water from Rust & Vrede to Dysselsdorp and KKRWS, with an estimated cost of R100 million.
- Dam Expansion: The municipality is also looking to build a new dam to enhance water storage, at an estimated cost of R320 million.
- Blossoms Wellfield Development: R450 million is planned for the development of the Blossoms Wellfield.
- Pipe Network Replacement: An investment of R420 million is projected for replacing old pipes across the region.
- Rural Water Services: Extending water services to rural areas will require an estimated R15 million.
- Hydro Power: We are exploring the use of hydropower to harness energy from our water systems, with costs to be finalized.
These projects are crucial for ensuring a reliable and sustainable water future for all our residents. However, it’s important to note that many of these future projects are contingent upon securing the necessary funding. With the current financial constraints, they remain in the planning stages until additional resources can be obtained.
This is the current water situation in the Greater Oudtshoorn and if the above future projects are to be explored, this would be the future water situation.
| AREA | SOURCE OF SUPPLY | DEMAND (ML/DAY) | AVAILABLE (NOW) | AVAILABLE (FUTURE |
| Oudtshoorn: | Raubenheimerdam catchment area and Blossoms Emergency Project. | 17 ML/day | 16 ML/day | 23.5 ML/day |
| KKRWSS West | Blossoms (Emergency Project) | 1.7 ML/day | 1.7 ML/day | 1.7 ML/day |
| KKRWSS East | Blossoms (Emergency Project) | 1.3 ML/day | 1.3 ML/day | 1.3 ML/day |
| Rest of KKRWSS | Vermaaksriver and Rust and Vrede | 1.2 ML/day | 1.2 ML/day | 1.5 ML/day |
| Dysselsdorp | Vermaaksriver and Rust and Vrede | 1.3 ML/day | 1.3 ML/day | 2.7 ML/day |
| De Rust | Huisriver, Vermaaksriver, and Rust and Vrede | 0.85 ML/day | 0.4 ML/day | 1 ML/day |
| All Areas: | Blossoms Wellfield | 18.4ML/day | ||
| IN TOTAL | 23.35 | 21.9 | 50.1 |
If the future water infrastructure projects are completed, the total water availability across all areas in the Greater Oudtshoorn Municipality will increase from the current 21.9 ML/day to 50.1 ML/day. This substantial improvement in water availability will better meet the region’s demand and support sustainable growth and development.
STREETS AND STORMWATER AND OTHER CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES
The Greater Oudtshoorn Municipality has committed over R23 million to essential streets and stormwater and other infrastructure projects for the 2024/25 financial year. This investment is aimed at upgrading and maintaining key facilities across various wards.
CAPITAL PROJECTS
A portion of the budget, R15,373,826.89, is earmarked for capital projects for Roads, Transport and Stormwater. These include:
- BONGOLETHU SPORTS GROUND UPGRADES:
R3,044,626.89 will be invested, with R1,649,326.89 from municipal funds and R1,395,300.00 from the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG), benefiting Ward 8.
- STREETS AND STORMWATER SYSTEMS:
Total Allocation: R4,000,000.00 for the rehabilitation of streets and stormwater systems in Wards 2, 3, and 7, funded by municipal funds.
Additional Allocation: R8,139,200.00 for the second phase of upgrading roads, stormwater systems, and sidewalks in Wards 4, 5, 6, 8, and 12, funded by MIG.
- PROVINCIAL ROADS MAINTENANCE:
Total Allocation: R190,000.00 for maintaining provincial main roads in Wards 2, 3, and 7, funded by the Western Cape Roads Department (WCRD).
OPERATIONAL EXPENDITURES
In addition to capital projects, the municipality has allocated R8,304,600.00 for operational expenditures. This includes:
- ROAD AND STREET MAINTENANCE: R4,909,600.00 will be used to address road repairs across all wards, including –
- fixing pipe burst road damage, and potholes on major roads parallel to the Grobbelaars River and then the roads crossing the river
- In Bridgton and Bongolethu will be concentrated on the major through roads and crossroads
- Urgent community requests will also be focused on if there is an immediate threat to safety
- De Rust and Dysselsdorp have a dedicated team that repairs road damages due to pipe burst
- SWING BRIDGE AND SIDEWALK REPAIRS: R100,000.00 is allocated for the Swing Bridge maintenance in Wards 2 and 3, and R795,000.00 will fund sidewalk repairs across all wards. This also includes repairs in Olienhout Street, Swart Cressen, and stormwater systems in De Rust and Dysselsdorp.
These initiatives are part of the ongoing efforts to improve infrastructure in the Greater Oudtshoorn. While some projects are already underway, others will begin soon, and future plans will depend on securing additional funding. The municipality is committed to building a stronger, more sustainable future for Greater Oudtshoorn and to driving continued municipal transformation and development.