Sheepmoor water supply project in its last phase and expected to be complete by the end of June

The community of Sheepmoor relies on boreholes as a source of water supply but due to drought, vandalism and cable theft, there has been a consistent shortage of water supply.

In the past, the Gert Sibande District Municipality (GSDM), through consultations with the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), tested and equipped five boreholes in order to supplement the existing ones, but that proved to be a short term solution as Sheepmoor is still struggling with water supply shortages.

The consistent water shortages in Sheepmoor led to community unrest which resulted in the N2 to Piet Retief, to be blocked on 16 October 2017.

The community has been participating in service delivery protests regularly, leading to the closure of the N2 and GSDM intervened in an effort to assist Msukaligwa Municipality, which is a Water Service Authority.

In order to end the community unrest, the Executive Mayor of GSDM, Mr Muzi Chirwa, committed to make an amount of R5-million available to assist the emergency situation, and Msukaligwa committed to contribute an additional amount of R2-million.

The project entailed the construction of a 6,1km pipeline from the Usuthu River Pipeline to the Sheepmoor Community, one megalitre a day package water treatment plant, the refurbishment and upgrading of the existing booster pump station and pipework to connect to existing reservoirs.

Engineers were appointed to lead the team of design engineers and other specialists for the project.

The project entailed three different phases with phase one complete after GSDM put out a tender for the package plant and service provider was appointed on 19 April 2018.

The package plant was delivered on site. Phase two saw GSDM put out a tender for supply and delivery of pipes and a service provider was appointed and the pipes were delivered.

The project is in its last and third phase and GSDM put out a tender for the laying of pipes based on preliminary design. The appointment of the contractor will only be finalised once the Water Use Licence Application (WULA) has been granted and IRS approved.

The process of IRS approval by DWS has unfortunately taken too long, which has led to the completion date of the project to be continuously postponed.

The delay has led to growing rumblings of discontent from the community of Sheepmoor. This prompted the district municipality to request the community to be patient.

According to reports, GSDM is prioritising the matter and has made R12-million available to complete the project.

GSDM will also refurbish the existing boreholes to maximize its performance so that they can be used as the main supply.

The date of completion of the project is expected to be before the end of June.