New bulk water main to strengthen KwaNomzamo’s future water supply

HUMANSDORP – Kouga Local Municipality is set to commence with a major bulk water infrastructure project aimed at strengthening water supply capacity in KwaNomzamo and supporting the area’s future residential growth.

The KwaNomzamo Bulk Water Project involves the construction of a new water main from the Humansdorp Water Treatment Works to KwaNomzamo. The project represents a total investment of R16.7 million through the Water Services Infrastructure Grant (WSIG).

The project has been necessitated by growing demand for water in the area. The existing system, which includes a 100mm diameter main from the Humansdorp Water Treatment Works and a supplementary connection to the Churchill rising main, is approaching its capacity.

Water demand is projected to increase from approximately 1 541 kilolitres per day to 2 702 kilolitres per day, largely as a result of planned housing developments and the formalisation of informal areas.

Kouga Executive Mayor, Hattingh Bornman, said the investment was an important step towards ensuring that infrastructure keeps pace with development and the needs of communities.

“Reliable water infrastructure is fundamental to sustainable development and the wellbeing of our communities. This project will significantly strengthen the capacity of our water network and help ensure that Kwanomzamo is adequately equipped to accommodate both current and future demand,” said Bornman.

The project will include the construction of approximately 315mm and 250mm diameter PVC-u Class 12 bulk water mains between the Humansdorp Water Treatment Works and KwaNomzamo.

The new infrastructure is designed to deliver approximately 98.5 litres per second under peak demand conditions and 123.5 litres per second under peak demand combined with fire-flow requirements.

The design will also connect to the existing 100mm main, providing additional redundancy within the network. Pressure management equipment will be incorporated to support efficient and reliable operation of the system. 

“The project is not only about increasing capacity. It is about building a more resilient water network that can support growth while improving the municipality’s ability to manage demand and maintain reliable service delivery,” said Bornman.

Construction will include crossings of the R330, R102 and Transnet railway line, using trenchless and open-trench construction methods where appropriate.

Construction commenced earlier this week and will be implemented in two phases over an overall period of approximately 10 months. Phase 1 is scheduled to run for seven months during the 2026/2027 financial year, followed by a three-month Phase 2 during the 2027/2028 financial year. The project is expected to be completed by approximately 30 September 2027.

Bornman said the municipality remained committed to investing in infrastructure that creates a strong foundation for sustainable growth.

“Infrastructure investment is an investment in the future of our communities. By expanding the bulk water network now, we are preparing KwaNomzamo for future development while strengthening our ability to provide sustainable and reliable water services,” he said.

Once completed, the municipality will operate and maintain the new infrastructure through its existing asset management systems and procedures.