President Jacob Zuma has officially launched the Mzimvubu Water Project as part of the country’s infrastructure development program.

The government has investment over R12.45 billion in the project. This covers the construction of two dams, a hydropower plant at Laleni, bulk water distribution infrastructure and infield irrigation developments in the area.

The first dam, the Ntabelanga Dam on the Tsitsa River, will store approximately 490 million m³ of water and once completed, will be the 10^th largest dam in South Africa. The dam is strategically placed for possible supply to the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality and the Orange/Vaal River System in the longer term.The Laleni Dam will be used for hydro power generation and has potential to generate 35 megawatts of base power or up to 180 megawatts of peaking power when operated jointly with the Ntabelanga Dam.

Ntabelanga Dam

Speaking at the official sod turning and launch ceremony,Zuma said that a detailed design of the Ntabelanga Dam and associated works and infrastructure is currently underway and is expected to be completed by June. The actual construction of the dam and associated works and infrastructure is expected to commence in November this year, and to be completed by February of 2018. The first water delivery is expected in early 2018.

This will be followed by an intensive construction of bulk water conveyance infrastructure, infield farming infrastructure and the building of the Laleni hydro power scheme in 2016/17.

Water supply

Zuma said the OR Tambo, Alfred Nzo and Joe Gqabi districts will all benefit from this massive project which aims to provide domestic water supplyto an excess of 720 000 households. “This is an important part of our efforts at equity and distribution, ensuring that we increase on the 95.2% people who now have access to clean water.” A central water treatment works with a bulk distribution program will form the cornerstone of the water network in this area and will be used as a hub to develop much needed skills in the region.

Zuma emphasised SIPs 18 which focuses on the delivery of water and sanitation to all South Africans. “We have to work to eliminate water supply and sanitation backlogs by providing new infrastructure, rehabilitating existing one and improving on how we maintain the infrastructure. We have to be steadfast as government in implementing the pledges we made to our people to improve their lives and I am pleased that so far we have not reneged from these commitments,” he said.

Catchment rehabilitation program

“There is a unique and exciting development with regard to the plans of building this water infrastructure. For the first time in the history of infrastructure development in the country and indeed the continent and the world, our government, through its provincial and national environment departments, have embarked on a catchment rehabilitation program as a precursor to the dam projects,” said Zuma. An extensive catchment management programme, similar to Working for Water, started in February this year, aimed at improving catchment land use, reduction of soil erosion and sedimentation into the Ntabelanga and Laleni dams.

Social and economic upliftment

Zuma believes the development of the Mzimvubu catchment will accelerate the social and economic upliftment of the communities in the region as well as ensure economic growth through the supply of water for agricultural irrigation and hydropower generation.

The Mzimvubu Water Project is expected to create approximately 6 700 jobs per annum during the construction phase and 6 500 jobs per annum during the operational phase.