| |
| Unlocking Potential at Hartbeespoort Dam |
|
 |
 |
|
|
 |
Although not entirely as planned, a new Rand Water pipeline will sustain economic development in two provinces
At the time of going to print Rand Water had just begun the construction of a pipeline that will expand it’s infrastructure by another 45 km. Upon completion, this pipeline promises to unlock economic potential in Gauteng and North West Province. The original 80km pipeline will now be about 45km in length.
Development around Hartbeespoort Dam will benefit from water from Vaal River system. Rustenburg in North West Province is one of the fastest-growing municipalities in South Africa. Rapid population and economic growth experienced during the 1990’s is expected to continue and only stabilise by 2020; driven mostly by the expansion of platinum and allied mining activities. For a number of years, plans have been in the pipeline to provide the Rustenburg area with additional water from the Vaal River system in order to sustain growth. The original plan was for a new pipeline of about 80km that would start at Brakfontein, near Midrand in Gauteng, and supply Diepsloot, also in Gauteng, on to Mandi past Pelindaba and Theunisdal in North West province, before reaching the town of Hartbeespoort on the shores of Hartbeespoort Dam. From there it would have continued to Rustenburg.
Rand Water has a reservoir at Barmardsvlei, which would have been the termination point. Plans for the 80km pipeline were developed and an environmental impact assessment (EIA) submitted to the relevant authorities. But the construction of the pipeline has been delayed due to problems with obtaining a record of decision (ROD). It took three years to obtain the ROD. Apparently, it was not a particularly environmental problem, but became complicated because of the different provincial governments, municipalities and other government departments involved and had to be coordinated. “We did an EIA for the entire original planned pipeline and we got a positive ROD in September for what we call Phase 1”, Rob Kokke contracts manager of Rand Water tells Water Sewage & Effluent. The project changed considerably in that it will now only cover a distance of 45km and provide water to Madibeng Local Municipality that could sustain growth in Hartbeespoort Dam. But, according to Kokke, the phase of the project reaching from Hartbeespoort Dam to Rustenburg is still on the table and referred to as Phase 2.
The New Plan
Although the original idea of servicing the platinum mines in North West province will not be realised in this part of the project, studies have shown that the water to be delivered through the shortened pipeline will indeed contribute to future economic growth. The pipeline will unlock the economic potential of north-western parts of Gauteng and improve water provision to Hartbeespoort.
The Madibeng municipality has seen tremendous growth around harbeespoort Dam. This development is predominantly for residential development in higher end of the market and, despite being located on the shores of a scenic dam; expansion of the municipality is limited by a lack of water. A large proportion of water is provided by boreholes. Upon reviewing the case, Rand Water realised that, even if the pipeline is not completed up to Rustenburg, it makes economic send to go up to Hartbeespoort, to unlock the potential around the dam. Negotiations with the Madibeng municipality took place and a regular water forum with people from the municipality was established.
“We have very strong infrastructure a north-south direction”, argues Kokke. “The area north of the Magaliesberg is not well-serviced, and by providing water here, the whole area will be unlocked for further economic development.”
The Madibeng and Twane municipalities - potential customers – will invoice the end users. Rand Water will, therefore, be responsible for construction and maintenance as well as ongoing liaison with the municipalities.
| Press Release Ivora Properties, 03-12-2007 |
[ Back ] |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
