SECONDARY SERVICES
Implementing Agent For Installation Of Rainwater Harvesting Tanks in Western Cape
Over the past 5 years, Overberg Water, on behalf of DWS, installed rainwater harvesting tanks throughout the Western Cape. The Masibambane project identified low cost housing areas in water scarce regions as part of a water conservation and demand management campaign. Several challenges have arisen on the project due to poor project management, workmanship and financial control. Overberg Water has addressed this problem through internal processes and have given its Shareholder the confidence to provide them further projects in the future.
More recently Overberg Water was appointed as the Implementing Agent for the Poor Farmers: Rainwater Harvesting Tanks Project. The project includes several areas, such as Khayelitsha and the West Coast (Graafwater, Elandsbaai and Citrusdal). The project is in the inception stage.
Ministerial Directive: Distribution of water tanks to all the Muncipalities of the Westen Cape excluding the Metro
The distribution of water tanks was a short term relief measure to minimise the spread of the infection with special emphasis to those hotspot areas that did not have running water. The distribution of the water tanks further alleviated the plight of rural communities who walk long distances to fetch water.
Implementing Agent: DWS War On Leaks
This programme was set in motion as a means of addressing the water losses country-wide which result from failing and ageing infrastructure. This matter came to a head after the Water Research Commission mandated Stellenbosch University to undertake research into water losses in the country. The study showed that the country loses up to 37% of potable water to losses due to failing infrastructure, ageing infrastructure, illegal connections, etcetera.
As a response to this dilemma, the then President put it to the DWS to find a solution to this challenge that could not be left unattended. The idea that was born out of that directive led to the DWS looking into recruiting out of school youths to take up training as Water Agents, Artisans and Plumbers. Thus far Phase 1 trainees who were enrolled onto the programme in 2015 have successfully completed the following training:
New Venture Creation (Water Agents and Artisans)
Water Conservation and Water Demand Management (Water Agents and Artisans)
Water Agent Skills Program (for Water Agents)
Institutional Training (Artisans
Rainwater harvesting tanks
Rain Water Harvesting (RWH) for increasing reliability of supply in rural areas and municipalities
RWH for household farming to improve food security in rural areas.
RWH for food gardening for rural households and institutions (clinics, schools, hospitals etc
RWH in households and commercial settings in affluent areas.
Management of water infrastructure assets of Department of Defence & Department of Correctional Services on behalf of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure
Management of wastewater treatment plants and potable water treatment plants of Correctional Services prison sites as well as air force bases in the Western Cape.
Laboratory Services
Funding and resourcing remains a challenge to establish a business plan for a regional laboratory. The vision is that the laboratory will extend services to municipalities throughout the Overberg, Eden and West Coast districts. This service is necessitated by legislative guidelines and DWS programmes aimed at regulating water/effluent quality that are currently undertaken by consultants.
Funding and attracting the required resources remains the major challenge to have laboratory established. It is envisaged that a detailed feasibility study will be completed in the next three years once the entity has overcome several internal hurdles. The concentration will then be focused to understand the financial feasibility, legislative and funding requirements to establish such a laboratory.