The Department of Water and Sanitation, in partnership with the Ventersdorp Local Municipality, have completed the upgrade of the R52 million Ventersdorp Bulk Water Supply project.

The upgrade will ensure that water shortage becomes a thing of the past in the Ventersdorp Local Municipality.

The upgrading of the Ventersdorp Bulk Water Supply project came as a result of a feasibility study conducted by the Ventersdorp Local Municipality to increase the potable water supply to Ventersdorp and surrounding areas, including the rural settlements in close proximity to Ventersdorp.

The project was implemented by the department’s Construction Unit through its Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant with the intention to increase water supply within the urban areas in the Ventersdorp Local Municipality.

It will supply water to Ventersdorp and surrounding townships of Tshing, Toevlug, Moosapark and the farming community.

The project’s main components, which have been implemented include a newly completed 5.7 Mega litre reservoir, upgraded raw water abstraction point from the canal from which raw water is currently being extracted.

It also includes increased water treatment capacity from 7 Mega litre per day to 14 Mega litre per day and a new 400 mm diameter rising main approximately 2.4 km long from the Water Treatment Works to the reservoir site.

Manager responsible for Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant at the Department of Water and Sanitation North West Provincial Operations, John Ratombo, said the project has five bulk water lines, which have already been laid to connect the Ventersdorp Water Treatment Works to the reservoirs situated in the Ventersdorp residential area.

“The first and second bulk lines transfer water from the water treatment works and distribute it to the Ventersdorp residential area, Ventersdorp town, Tshing Ext. 5, Moosapark and Extension 7.

“The third bulk pipeline transfers water to the Toevlug suburb and the fourth bulk pipeline supplies the Tshing settlement while the fifth pipeline transfers raw water for agricultural holdings,” Ratombo explained.

The project will benefit a population of about 28 720 as per the 2011 census. The local community also benefited through their involvement on the project by gaining experience and training on construction and contracting aspects.