Name and Location
Komati water scheme augmentation project (KWSAP), Mpumalanga, South Africa.

Client
Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA).

Project Description
The KWSAP is a new water-transfer scheme from the Rietfontein weir to the Matla and Duvha power stations, in Mpumalanga.

The KWSAP will be able to deliver an additional 57-million cubic metres of water a year to the Komati water scheme.

The project involves the construction of:
• an additional pumpstation at the Rietfontein weir, with a total flow rate capacity of 2.16 m³;
• a 1 100 mm nominal-diameter steel pipeline from the Rietfontein weir to the Duvha power station over 58.4 km, with a flow-rate capacity of 1 684 m³/s; and
• a 600 mm nominal-diameter steel pipeline from the Rietfontein weir to the Matla power station over 12.9 km with a flow-rate capacity of 0.474 m³/s.

The project is part of government’s National Infrastructure Plan and appears as part of Strategic Infrastructure Project 18, which deals with water and sanitation infrastructure.

Government has a ten-year plan to address the estimated backlog of adequate water to supply between 1.4-million households and 2.1-million households with basic sanitation. The project will involve provision of sustainable water supply to meet social needs and support economic growth.

Projects will provide new infrastructure, the rehabilitation and upgrading of existing infrastructure and the management of water infrastructure.

Value
The project has a budget of about R1.2-billion. The capital costs will be recovered from the revenue generated by the sale of water to Eskom over a 20-year period after commissioning.

Duration
Water delivery is expected in December 2011.

Latest Developments
Water and Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa launched the project on March 19, in Kriel, eMalahleni.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
BKS Group (consultancy contract).

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
BKS Group, tel +27 12 421 3500, fax +27 12 421 3501 or email group@bks.co.za.
KWSAP project manager Craig Hasenjager, tel +27 12 683 1277, fax +27 12 683 5127 or email chasenjager@tcta.co.za.