Minister of Water and Sanitation Senzo Mchunu has launched the country’s largest reservoir in Benoni, which will provide more water to regions of Gauteng.
The creation of the Vlakfontein Reservoir is the idea of the department’s entity, Rand Water, as part of its augmentation plan to maintain strategic storage capacity equal to 24 hours of water demand, particularly in light of the country’s present power supply difficulties.
The 210 million-litre reservoir is a component of the Mapleton System, which receives water from the Zuikerbosch purification and pumping station through two 2,100mm-diameter pipes and delivers potable water to different towns by two 2,100mm-diameter outgoing pipelines.
The reservoir will offer extra water storage and delivery to the east of Tshwane and Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality until 2035, depending on a 2% compounded growth rate for the districts.
According to the Department of Water and Sanitation, the Vlakfontein Reservoir is the country’s biggest post-tensioned reservoir, compared to a Saudi Arabian reservoir with a capacity of just 200Ml.
It is also listed as a dam with significant safety concerns, and strict safety requirements have to be followed throughout its design.
The reservoir’s construction started in May 2020 and is anticipated to be finished in April 2023. The initiative has generated around 220 employment possibilities for ward 24 and 110 residents of the Ekurhuleni Local Municipality.
During his remarks at the launch, Mchunu debunked the widespread belief that the water industry is on the verge of a catastrophic collapse.
“I accept that the country is facing challenges of power supply and I do understand the impact of this on water supply. But I do think that it is misleading to say that the water sector is heading towards that direction and is in shambles…..that is incorrect,” Mchunu said.
Mchunu spoke to the considerable work being performed by Rand Water in Gauteng and other regions of the nation, including the execution of Infrastructure Development Planning, which involves planning for the renovation and expansion of infrastructure and its implementation.
“The augmentation I am referring to includes expansion of potable production capacity at the river stations, as well as infrastructure that radiates away from river stations, that is pipework, pumps, reservoirs or associated automation and electrical infrastructure,” Mchunu said.
Moreover, he said that when pipelines, pump stations, and extra potable capacity at river stations are improved, clients might get an increase in capacity.
The Minister also urged the public to refrain from vandalising water infrastructure and to report such incidents to local authorities.