Plans to revive Die Poort waterfall underway
In a small glimmer of hope after a tumultuous year, the waterfall is finally in the planning process of being restored
For years, Die Poort waterfall inside the Wonderboom nature reserve at the top of the Magaliesberg was a beacon for Pretorians as they drove in and out of the city.
The water supply to the waterfall was closed more than two years ago after the water shortage was announced and water restrictions were implemented.
In a small glimmer of hope after a tumultuous year, the waterfall is finally in the planning process of being restored.
“Last week Friday, a bunch of team members who are spearheading this project came together to start planning the restoration of the waterfall,” said Xander Loubser of Best Care emergency service.
“Measurements were taken to see what materials like pipes and wiring will be required to fix it. We concluded that a new pump will definitely have to be installed, as well as a new storage dam for the water to be recycled,” he explained.
One of the biggest challenges the group is facing is the issue of safety.
“The waterfall will not use any municipal water or electricity. We want to keep the process as natural as we can. To achieve this, we need to use solar panels, which in turn will be costly and run the risk of being stolen,” Loubser said.
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“We’ve discussed many solutions to this problem, one being placing the panels somewhere, like tall poles in the reserve where potential thieves can’t gain access to it.”
“We need to ensure the long-term sustainability of this project, so that it’s financially viable, and so we don’t need to repair it two months down the line,” Loubser said.
Gerhard Stoop, of water and sanitation of Tshwane, explained that a shunt will have to be installed in the Apies river that will supply the newly built storage dam with water. The water will then move through the waterfall and back into the storage dam. Once the water in the dam reaches a certain point, water will again be pumped from the river.
“Water from a natural source will be recycled the whole time. “
“A group of students who work for the land surveyor-general are doing their practical assignments on the dam. They did all the measurements that will be required to estimate what the entire project will cost; unfortunately, we don’t know what figure that is yet,” Stoop said.
The group aims to have another meeting in the coming weeks to have further discussions about the project.
“Our main goal is to have the waterfall be safe and sustainable in the long run,” Loubser concluded.
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