A major step towards long-term water security is taking shape on the banks of the Vaal River, where Vaal de Gráce Golf Estate and Nature Estate are busy commissioning a new local water purification plant to supply safe, reliable drinking water to both estates.

Untill now, both estates were supplied with water by the Ngwathe Local Municipality.

The Vaal de Gráce Water Treatment Plant (WTP) is designed around a practical objective – to abstract raw water from the Vaal River and purify it locally to drinking water quality that complies with SANS 241 – the South African standard used t assess potable water quality which includes microbiological, chemical and aesthetic requirements, explains Dr Marlene van der Merwe-Botha, Technical Coordinator for the
Vaal de Gráce Water Treatment Project.

Capacity

The plant has a treatment capacity of 200 m³ per day, or 200,000 litres per day. This capacity has been planned to meet the current and five year projected potable water requirements of the two estates.

BB Energy is the appointed contractor and supplier for the plant. The treatment plant
was assembled and tested at BB Energy’s workshop in Pretoria before being transported to site for wet testing.

This approach allows the equipment and treatment processes to be checked under controlled conditions before water is delivered to all households by the end of June 2026.

Modular, multi-barrier water treatment system

The plant has been designed as a modular, multi-barrier water treatment system.
This means that the raw river water will pass through several treatment steps, each designed to remove or reduce different types of contaminants.

The process includes screened abstraction from the river, coagulation and flocculation, dissolved air flotation, activated media filtration, ultrafiltration, granular activated carbon filtration and final disinfection. Each process has a specific purpose.

Dissolved air flotation is used to remove algae and fine suspended material associated
with river water. Media filtration and ultrafiltration provide further physical separation and polishing, while granular activated carbon improves taste, odour and organic quality.

Final disinfection provides the last barrier to ensure that the treated water does not contain pathogenic organisms and is safe for domestic use.

The system includes online monitoring to track key water-quality and operational parameters in real-time, supported by an onsite process operator, and with routine water testing by accredited laboratories through daily, weekly and monthly checks.

Preventative maintenance planning and sound operational control are key to the longterm success of the
plant, and measures have been put in place to support this, including energy-efficient
equipment selection and standby duty arrangements on critical mechanical equipment to ensure reliable response to equipment downtime.

Testing and Commissioning

At the moment, the plant has been installed and undergoes formal testing and commissioning before certified by an independent professional engineer.

Local water resources, modern treatment technology and responsible estate planning

For residents, the project represents more than a technical response to water-supply challenges. It combines local water resources, modern treatment technology and responsible estate planning to strengthen the community’s preparedness for future water-security risks. It brings together local water, modern treatment technology and responsible estate planning that will help ensure that they are better
prepared for water challenges of the future, says Van der Merwe-Botha.

Unique partnership

The project is the result of a unique partnership between Vaal de Gráce Golf and Nature Estates,
says Henk Botha, Chairperson of the Vaal de Gráce Home Owners Association. Both estates form
part of a single island community, surrounded by the Vaal River and connected
to the mainland by a single access bridge.

Recognising their shared future and common needs, the two estates joined forces to develop a long-term solution that would secure reliable, safe water supply for all residents.

Extensive research, planning, and discussions

The idea for the water treatment project first began almost five years ago following extensive research, planning, and discussions around creating a sustainable water solution for the Estate, explains Estate Manager, Anje Rademan.

During periods when no municipal water was available, water had to be delivered to homeowners at the estates using a JoJo tank transported on a bakkie – a reminder of how important this project would become for both the Golf and Nature Estate communities, Rademan said.

After many constructive discussions, both estates committed to working together towards a shared vision of harmony and a sustainable future, and today they can proudly say – it is done!

Given the scale and cost of such a facility, extensive planning and careful consideration
of various funding options were required.

Throughout this process, the leadership of both estates remained committed to finding the most effective and affordable financing model possible. Their efforts resulted in a solution that delivers the benefits of a modern water treatment facility while keeping costs manageable for residents.

Watershed moment

Botha describes the project as both a literal and a figurative watershed moment.”Literally,
it secures the community’s water future. Figuratively, it demonstrates the power of collaboration, determination and forwardthinking leadership,” he said.

At a time when water security is becoming an increasingly important issue across South Africa, the estate communities have taken proactive steps to ensure its long-term sustainability, Botha added.

The development of the WTP was a journey that spanned more than two years. Rademan told Gazette that while the planning, procurement, and appointment process accounted for nearly 80% of the
timeline, the design, construction, and commissioning of the plant were successfully completed within just nine months.

Over the past week, two information sessions were held with homeowners from the Golf and
Nature Estates, building excitement ahead of the official grand opening and launch of the
newly purified water supply.

Investment in the long-term

For both estates, the successful completion of the project is not only an investment in infrastructure, but also an investment in the long-term wellbeing, sustainability and quality of life of the entire community.

As the estates continue to grow, water demand is expected to increase. Over time, higher consumption volumes will allow the system to benefit from greater economies of scale and improve the cost competitiveness of locally treated water.

This is particularly significant against the backdrop of rising utility costs across SA, where water tariffs are expected to continue increasing in the years ahead.