R5-million boost for water and sanitation

PHOTO: Debbie Scholtz (right) of Amatola Water gives a demonstration to municipal staffers (front from left) Mphathi Hans, Ricardo Nelson, Jennifer Jela, Manie Nelson, (back) Petrus Jacobs, Randall Koela, William Jonker and Pieter Felix.

R5-million boost for water and sanitation

KOUGA Municipality has clenched a multimillion-rand deal with the Department of Water Affairs (DWA) to improve water and sanitation services to residents.

Kouga Municipal Manager Dr Eddie Rankwana said DWA would be investing R5-million on water and sanitation projects in Kouga over the next year following discussions between the two institutions in 2010.

He said Amatola Water had been appointed the implementing agent.

“The R5-million will go towards equipment, training, assessments and management plans to ensure the long-term sustainability of Kouga’s water resources,” he said.

“It will also include a groundwater feasibility study and an assessment of existing boreholes.”

André Dyer, Regional Manager: Coastal for Amatola Water, said infrastructure upgrades would include the repair and replacement of aerators, pressure filters and flow meters at water purification plants and waste water treatment works.

Laboratory testing instruments to the value of R400 000 have also been delivered to the municipality as part of the project. A two-day course to familiarise staff with the equipment was presented to 21 staffers from the municipality’s water and sanitation sections last week.

“The new instruments will help the municipality to deliver drinking water of the highest quality. In addition, they will be used to ensure that treated waste water complies with the required standards,” Dyer said.

He said Amatola Water would also be upgrading the system used to monitor water levels at reservoirs.

“The system is especially important during periods of drought because it helps municipalities to ensure that their reservoirs are not overflowing.”

The Municipal Manager said the R5-million would further be used for a detailed assessment of Kouga’s water and waste water works.

“The assessment will be used to finalise an Integrated Operations and Maintenance Business Plan for Kouga. This business plan will be essential for Kouga to secure further funding from DWA,” he said.

“We are grateful for the assistance from DWA and look forward to strengthening this partnership as part of our commitment to service excellence.”