from government and private sector stakeholders from mining companies. In an exclusive interview, Bertus Bierman, CEO of LWUA, discusses the Association’s evolution, transformative journey, and future prospects.
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• five pump stations (Havercroft, Clapham, Spitskop, Dwarsrivier, Borwa)
• two reservoirs (Croyden, Mooihoek)
• 110 km of bulk raw water pipeline. At the time, LWUA’s mandate was very specific: to provide bulk raw water to mines and an offtake for the WSAs serving the surrounding communities. Period of discontent From roughly 2015, there was a negative perception among the communities in the surrounding areas that the mines were taking their water and
giving little back in the form of jobs or opportunities. This dissatisfaction also spilled over towards LWUA. This led to government publishing an intention to
disestablish LWUA and incorporate it into Lepelle Northern Water. During that period, LWUA also suffered damages of over R25 million to its pipeline due to vandalism and theft aimed at halting mining operations. The transformation: ORWRDP and OMMP “This was a pivotal moment, where LWUA started to position itself as an asset to the country with the purpose of improving lives through water. We
created a vision to be a strategic water management partner and catalyst for the creation of sustainable socio-economic development (SED) in the region in which we operate,” states Bierman. During its transformation process, LWUA prepared a proposal to revise government’s Olifants River Water Resources Development Project (ORWRDP), which was conceptualised by the DWS in parallel to the construction of the Lebalelo Scheme to relieve pressure on the overallocated Flag Boshielo Dam and to supply water to Polokwane, Mokopane, and Sekuruwe. “The project was aimed at addressing the water needs of the Middle Olifants Catchment Area in Limpopo. Slow progress was being made due to a lack of funding and expertise. We wanted to propose sharing in 50% of the project’s costs and expand it by providing potable water infrastructure (to a yard connection) to approximately 390 000 people living around the mines. We wanted to include bulk potable water and water reticulation in the scope to improve social harmony in a region where infrastructure development has been very slow during the past decades,” adds Bierman. However, LWUA first had to win over the mining companies with its suggestion, as this would almost double project costs. “Mining companies only need raw water for their operations, but we were proposing treating a portion of that raw water and supplying potable water infrastructure to communities living in the surrounding areas,” explains Bierman. Most of these mines had tried to supply potable water to communities via their own corporate social investment and social labour plan projects. According
to Bierman, this was a difficult and complicated task, as some communities could be supplied by two different mines while other communities were not supplied at all. Furthermore, water treatment/reticulation was not a focus area of these mines and very often had to be outsourced. “The mines eventually gave their consent for Lebalelo to present the idea. At first, the DWS was reluctant, but they have come on board and fully support the move. We are receiving incredible support from government,” says Bierman. “Initially, there was a high level of distrust between the government institutions and mining companies, and both groups had difficulty working together. But LWUA is all about collaboration and there is a lot of common ground shared by the public and private sector. We play a role in linking the public sector with the private sector to pool funds, expertise, community and stakeholder engagement projects, risk sharing, and regulatory support. We then
implement projects to the satisfaction of both parties. There is sometimes a reluctance to give government money due to complex procurement issues and a perceived high level of corruption; however, individual mining companies are too small in size to tackle water security issues in the area alone. This is where LWUA comes in.”
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water supply to Polokwane Local Municipality. The projects within the OMMP will cost R25 billion. “In terms of commitment from government, so far, the DWS has officially appointed LWUA as implementer of the OMMP, and both an operations and maintenance agreement and a resourcing agreement are about to be signed. We “In terms of commitment from government, so far, the DWS has officially appointed LWUA as implementer of the OMMP, and both an operations and maintenance agreement and a resourcing agreement are about to be signed. We have also received confirmation of Budget Facility for Infrastructure (BFI) funding for Phase 2B and 2B+,” says Bierman. “In the face of significant capital constraints and downward pressure on revenues, it is a ‘big ask’ for mines in the area to sign their part of a R25 billion commitment towards the OMMP. But they see the value, and I believe that all of them will come on board.” Community development The OMMP aims to leverage infrastructure development to strengthen SED across Limpopo. It will unlock the strategic mineral and industrial potential in the specified regions and bring with it much-needed potable water, water security, significant job creation, and SED. “In line with our purpose – improving
lives through water – SED is a core ingredient of any LWUA-funded project going forward. LWUA understands that, to deliver against its mandate, it must prioritise the wellness of the communities in its area of operation. So, 1% of all capital and operational costs of a project are directed towards SED,” he adds.
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