Xonxa pipeline in July

KOMANI will soon benefit from an augmented water supply, thanks to the Xonxa Dam Project, which will become operational at the end of July.

The completion of the works was originally set for last month, with Chris Hani District Municipality spokeswoman Thobeka Mqamelo saying the final commission and handover after the 28-day trial operational period was expected at the end of August.

The system to Macibini and Ilinge is expected to be functional towards the end of next year, with the delays due to funding challenges.

Completed phases include the construction of a pump house, pumps and the Xonxa Dam, construction of an access road from the dam to the pump station and laying of a welded steel pipe connection from the existing Xonxa Dam off-take, across the White Kei River to the pump station site.

By next month, it was expected that a reinforced concrete break pressure

reservoir would be completed with an outfall into the Berry Dam and rehabilitation work on the access road up the hill where the pipe shares space with the road.

The pumping mains are also expected to be installed next month, Mqamelo said, with mechanical and electrical installations – including three electrical motors in the pump station – expected to be complete in July.

The Macibini and Ilinge bulk water supply will include a pump station at the Ezibeleni high level reservoirs, a steel pipeline and gravity distribution pipelines.

“All water use approvals have been obtained from the Department of Water and Sanitation and general distribution mains is in progress for approval,” Mqamelo confirmed.

Dam levels, according to information supplied by CHDM are: Bonkolo Dam 11%, Dordrecht dams 35%. The Waterdown Dam level had dropped significantly and was at 74.4% last week, down from 98.1% at the same time last year.