The Hazelmere to La Mercy Bifurcation Pipeline, which will increase water supply to Ballito, is progressing well says Umgeni Water’s project manager, Xolani Chamane. December 2011 was a difficult time for Ballito residents, business owners and holiday makers due to the constant water shortages experienced during the holiday season. Umgeni Water, the bulk water supplier to the area, has since appointed Icon Construction to construct the pipeline from Hazelmere Water Treatment Works to La Mercy Bifurcation.

“This pipeline will increase capacity to Ballito to meet the short term demands over the holiday periods and is programmed to be completed by November 2012, just in time for the next peak season,” said Chamane, Darren van Rooyen, the design engineer from SSI Engineers & Environmental Consultants, added that there have been a few delays in pipe delivery due to the transport moratorium on special loads over the April long weekends and some minor delays in the application of the cement mortar lining in the factory, but the contractor has made very good progress on pipelaying activities and is currently ahead of programme. He further noted that Icon Construction have plans in place to mitigate any delays and are fully committed to meeting the November deadline.

Umgeni Water has recently awarded the contract for the upgrading of the Hazelmere Water Treatment Works and the contract for the new pump station to supply the La Mercy Reservoir will be awarded shortly. These two projects are programmed to be completed by October 2013, and will meet the medium term demands until the uThukela Bulk Water Supply System is operational.