Water security for Steytlerville

THE Karoo town of Steytlerville is now water secure following completion of a major supply project coordinated by the Department of Water and Sanitation.

Announcing the news yesterday, department spokesman Sputnik Ratau said it had involved the construction of a 50km pipeline, two pump stations, 9km of Eskom overhead powerlines and a water treatment works with storage facilities.

The project had been funded by a regional bulk infrastructure grant.

Completed in February, it was undertaken as a result of water shortages in the area of the Karoo.

“The project’s cost was R116-million – and it is estimated that 1 676 households will benefit,” Ratau said.

“Ninety direct project construction jobs were created for consulting engineers and contractors. A further 44 direct project construction jobs were created for labourers.”

The water had been sourced about 60km south of Steytlerville, from the Groot River in the Erasmus Kloof area, he said.

People in Steytlerville have been struggling to access water, but that is now a thing of the past.

“Economically, the town has also benefited a lot, with employment created and small business being supported with the funds injected into the community,” Ratau said.

“The assurance of the water supply to Steytlerville may also attract new businesses, which will also enhance the economy of the town.”

In the past, the eastern Karoo town had to rely on two boreholes, with a yield of only 10 litres a second, and the local authority had struggled to keep the reservoir full during high-demand periods in summer, Ratau said.

“With the implementation of this project, the town now has a yield of 24 litres a second, or 2.1 megalitres a day. It will ensure the town will have water for the next 25 to 30 years.”