Johannesburg Water has released the specs for the Brixton water system upgrades due to start next month
Local SMMEs and laborers were given details of the infrastructure upgrades to enable them to apply to become sub-contractors.
R250 million has been budgeted for the first phase of upgrades to the Brixton water district to curb worsening water supply problems in the City.
In 2014, a project was commissioned to upgrade and augment existing infrastructure following persistent water supply problems in the Brixton, Crosby, and Hursthill water districts.
A few audience members held placards at the meeting, bemoaning the lack of water to their homes and businesses but did not disrupt proceedings.
Project manager for Johannesburg Water Nqobizitha Ndimande said, “There are three main elements to address different aspects of the constraints facing this water systemy.”
1. Brixton reservoir, tower, and pump station
This will be the first phase of the project and work will begin next month for a duration of 18 months.
A new 26-megalitre ground reservoir; 200 litres per second pump station, and a 2-megalitre tower will be built. Pipework will also be installed to reconfigure the new water and tower zones.
The new infrastructure will increase storage capacity for both the reservoir and tower zones in the Brixton supply system. The reconfiguration of the Crosby reservoir will eliminate dead storage and will provide additional storage for the whole supply district.
Mapitsi Civil Works was appointed by Johannesburg Water to execute the implementation stage of the project through an open tender process. The contract value is R250 306 603.52 excluding VAT. From this figure, 12% is allowed for sub-contracting to local SMMEs to the amount of R21 050 320.94.
SMMEs and general workers attended the meeting and were told what projects and jobs, they could apply to carry out in Regions E and F.
2 New Rand Water supply line
A 3 340m of 1000mm diameter steel pipeline will be installed to increase supply into the water district.
3 New Crosby pump station and rising mains
A new 400 litres per second pump station will be installed which will include a 600mm diameter steel pipeline. This project will improve supply to the Hursthill supply zone.
The bulk of the work, reservoir, tower, and pump station is located in Region F, under Ward 58.
Brixton Primary School will be severely impacted during the upgrades with pipes and other infrastructure to be laid beneath the school grounds. Built into the scope of the works are several upgrades to the school’s facilities. These include a new drop-off and after-school facility, public parking, an amphitheater, multi-purpose courts, an athletics track, a new lawn will be laid and a school square created.
Ward 87 councillor Bridget Steer said, “Finding a suitable site for the new reservoir and tower has been difficult in the densely populated area. The school has a piece of underutilised land and a deal was brokered where the tower and reservoir will be installed there subject to some improvements to the school which they cannot afford. The reservoir is sunk below ground and on top, various sports facilities will be built as described above.”
The remainder of the work will be the laying of pipelines in Region B, under Wards 69 and 87.
Caroline Street in Ward 68 will be affected with a 600mm diameter pipe, 135m long being laid.
In Ward 87, 670m of 600mm pipe will be laid or existing pipes will be upgraded. The following roads will be impacted: Canary, Fulham, Artillery, Barnes, Wimbledon, Henley, and Finsbury.
Client liaison officers will be appointed for the duration of the work in each ward to keep residents informed.
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