The Member of the Mayoral Committee for Infrastructure, Darryl Moss, handed over a project site in Ga-Rankuwa on 8 February 2017, marking the start of the replacement of the dilapidated water reticulation network.
The Ga-Rankuwa water network is about 26 years old and rapidly collapsing due to the age of the now-defective asbestos pipes.
At a contract value of R3 390 029,12, the project will replace at least 1 309 metres of pipeline. The replacement includes all valves, communication pipes, a 100 mm diameter AC pipe with a 160 mm UPVC pipe, and water meters, if required. All paving, concrete and road surfaces damaged during construction will also be repaired. The project is expected to last four months and will employ 11 local labourers.
Moss said: “A total of R16 million has been made available in the 2016/2017 financial year for the replacement of worn-out water networks and further R1 million ring-fenced for lengthening of water pipelines. We are sitting with frequent water interruptions because a meagre 4% was allocated for preventative maintenance of water infrastructure by the former administration. For a metro this size, it is almost criminal because that has a real and meaningful impact on the City’s ability to deal speedily with water interruptions.”
Clubview and Hennopspark
The City will also hand over the Clubview and Hennopspark site in Region 4 to a contractor on 16 February 2017 to start with replacement of the water reticulation network. This is desperately needed due to the dolomitic geology and the possibility of sinkholes forming when water pipes leak in the area.
The water reticulation network pipes in Clubview and Hennopspark are old 75 mm asbestos cement pipes that were installed in the eighties. The purpose of this project is to replace the most critical sections of the existing water reticulation network, which has deteriorated to such an extent that it has become unserviceable.
The project scope includes the installation of approximately 3 500 m of HDPE water pipes and the replacement of all valves, communication pipes and water meters, if required. All paving, concrete and road surfaces damaged during construction will also be repaired.
Soshanguve Blocks AA and F
The water reticulation network in Soshanguve Blocks AA and F is approximately 30 years old and collapsing fast due to the age of the asbestos pipes.
The project to replace 4 500 metres of pipeline started in June 2016 and is progressing well. The contractor has replaced the most critical sections of the existing water reticulation network, which has deteriorated to such an extent that it has become unserviceable.
Leaks are frequent, and maintenance on this network is not feasible anymore. This situation has resulted in retaliation from the community, who refuses any other assistance such as JoJo tanks and insists that the water network be permanently replaced. The City is happy to have realised this wish on behalf of the Soshanguve community.
The City of Tshwane is committed to ensuring that safe, clean and affordable water is accessible to all and that adequate planning is exercised in order to avoid service interruptions.
