BCM ups water supply for Nonkcampa

Taps will flow again in Nonkcampa village near King William’s Town today.

Residents of the village, which is a stone’s throw from the Bulembu airport, have often had to share dam water with their livestock, as the taps installed more than 20 years ago regularly run dry.

BCM spokesperson Sam Ngwenya said the regular water cuts were a result of increased water demand because of new settlements nearby whose water requirements were not accommodated in the old water supply system.

“The municipality has decided to upgrade the existing water infrastructure to accommodate the additional demand. This involves Amatola Water installing a new bulk water meter connection, while the distribution mains and water connection points are from BCM,” said Ngwenya.

The project has been split into two phases, with the first part having received a R700,000 budget.

Ngwenya said phase one – which has started already and should be completed by March – includes trench excavation, bedding and backfilling of trenches, construction of standpipes, pipe laying, installation of valves and installation of communal standpipes with a concrete apron.

The second phase will commence immediately after the first and is due for completion by October 2019.

“When our councillor informed us about this project, there was a sigh of relief because we rely on farming here and when there is no water for our gardens we struggle to make ends meet.

“However, one thing that has been disappointing about this project is the fact that no jobs were created locally. We have hundreds of unemployed graduates in this area and some of them specialised in engineering. It is unfortunate that the municipality opted to use its own employees to install these water pipes,” said a resident only identified as Gqomfa.

Mayoral committee member for engineering services Ncedo Kumbaca said they were left with no choice but to use municipal staff to save costs.

“What is important for now is that these villages will have access to piped water. When we can, we do create jobs and we will continue doing so, but not in this case unfortunately,” said Kumbaca.

A project of installing more street lights in West Drive in King William’s Town and resurfacing Easle Street is ongoing.

“Mayor Xola Pakati will do site visits [today] in West Drive and Easle street to ensure the project will be finished on time,” said Ngwenya.

The project has been split into two phases, with the first part having received a R700,000 budget