Name of the Project
Sedibeng Regional Sewer Sanitation Scheme.

Location
Sedibeng district, Gauteng, South Africa.

Project Owner/s
Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS).

Project Description
The Sedibeng Regional Sewer Sanitation Scheme falls under the Vaal River System Inter­vention, which is one of 11 projects prioritised under Strategic Integrated Projects 19.

The scheme is central to resolving the issues that affect the Vaal River System in the Emfuleni local municipality, and has been prioritised by the DWS. The project forms part of the immediate scope of works, which will be undertaken by Rand Water.

Rand Water was appointed in October 2021 as the Vaal River system inter­ven­tion project implementing agent in the Emfuleni local municipality for three years to restore the water
services infrastructure to an operational state.

The scheme includes the upgrade of the Sebokeng, Rietspruit and Leeuwkuil wastewater treatment works (WWTWs), and the completion of the Meyerton WWTWs.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
The total cost for the intervention is estimated at R7.6-billion. The DWS transferred R100-million to Rand Water in October 2021 to start with the operations.

Planned Start/End Date
Not stated.

Latest Developments
Rand Water has submitted a detailed project implementation plan to the DWS.

The upgrading of Sebokeng WWTWs (50 Mℓ/d – Module 6) was completed in December 2020 and the final inspection and handover of the sludge dewatering facility was completed in August 2021.

The project is under a defects liability period until the end of August 2022.

The remaining minor scope for civil works is to be allocated to emerging and local service providers.

The tender documents for the upgrading of the Sebokeng WWTW (50 Mℓ/d – Module 7) have been finalised and the project is ready to go out to tender.

The construction of the Rothdene pumpstation rising main is 88% complete, with the pipe having been laid, pipe jacking undertaken and valve chambers built.

The upgrade of Meyerton WWTWs by 15 Mℓ/d is 94% complete for civil work, 81% for mechanical work and 88% complete for electrical work.

However, there have been delays, owing to inclement weather, community stoppages, labour strikes and demobilisation of the civil contractor, which had been liquidated.

Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu has established a project steering committee (PSC), cochaired by Deputy Minister David Mahlobo and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Lebogang Maile, to keep stakeholders abreast of project progress and address stakeholders’ project-related concerns.

The PSC has met twice, October 25 and November 5.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
Tender documents for mechanical and electrical engineering services will be published in early 2022.

Contact Details for Project Information
DWS spokesperson Sputnik Ratau, cell +27 82 874 2942.