Heritage Cases

Project Background The Vaal Gamagara Regional Water Supply Scheme (VGRWSS) is a water supply scheme located in the Northern Cape Province that was completed in 1968 by the Department of Water Affairs, now Department of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation (DHSWS), and transferred to Sedibeng Water in 2008. Secondary to the expected increased water demand are water supply interruptions that are amplified due to the aging infrastructure. The infrastructure, being 50 years old, is nearing the end of its useful life. Due to the condition of the pipelines, the full design capacity can no longer be supplied through this infrastructure. Total collapse in water supply will probably happen in the next 5 years if the infrastructure is not replaced/rehabilitated. Feasibility studies were undertaken to determine the best option to rehabilitate and increase the capacity of the scheme to cater for increased water demands. Sedibeng Water subsequently proposed the upgrading of the VGRWSS via the following two phases: Phase I – upgrading the scheme from the Roscoe Reservoir to Blackrock (already in construction phase); and Phase II – upgrading the scheme from Delportshoop to Olifantshoek. The Basic Assessment Report specifically deals with the upgrading of the VGRWSS Phase II. Project Location The VGRWSS-II starts at the Delportshoop Water Treatment Works (WTW) and runs past the towns of Ulco, Lime Acres and Postmasburg before ending at Olifantshoek, in the Northern Cape. The project infrastructure is mostly located inside the existing VGRWSS pipeline servitude, which is situated along privately-owned properties that are primarily used for mining and agricultural practices. Project Description The following project components associated with the proposed upgrading of the VGRWSS- II are described in the Basic Assessment Report (BAR): Delportshoop abstraction works and WTW; Pipeline from Beeshoek Connection to Roscoe; Pipeline between Clifton and Beeshoek Connection; Rising Main from Delportshoop to Kneukel; Rising Main from Kneukel to Trewill; Rising Main from Trewill to Clifton; Gravity Main from Roscoe to Olifantshoek; Delportshoop, Kneukel and Trewill Pump Stations; Clifton, Gloucester Reservoirs; Trewill Sump and Kneukel Sump; and Ancillary infrastructure (access roads, fibre optics)