The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has resolved to establish a political steering committee to monitor and fast-track the implementation of the second phase of the R14.9-billion Vaal Gamagara bulk water supply scheme project, in the Northern Cape.

Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister David Mahlobo said that project managers will be expected to report monthly to the political steering committee on the project’s progress.

This emerged during a site visit earlier this month, when Mahlobo was briefed on the Phase 2 project’s progress, governance arrangements, implementation milestones and challenges affecting the bulk water supply megaproject.

The Vaal Gamagara bulk water supply scheme, in the John Taolo Gaetsewe district municipality, is a landmark model of collaboration between government and the private sector, including commercial water users such as mines, farmers and industries.

The private-sector water users are committing 56% of the required funding, while government is contributing 44%.

Phase 1, valued at R1.4-billion, was completed in 2022 and is currently providing water to various mines, municipalities, the agricultural sector and about 6 000 households in the Gamagara and Tsantsabane local municipalities.

The second phase includes the upgrade of the remaining 300 km pipeline from the Vaal river pump station to Roscoe, near Kathu, and associated water infrastructure, including pump stations and reservoirs.

When completed, the second phase will benefit municipalities, mines, farmers and other industries in the John Taolo Gaetsewe district.

“[I am] pleased to note that management of the Gamagara water treatment plant has improved because of the technical capacity that the Vaal Central Water Board is bringing on board,” Mahlobo said, adding that water supply to users had been stable during April, May and June in terms of pumping and distribution.

“I also visited the Olifantshoek water reservoir and was pleased to see that the reservoir has a good chlorination system in place to address water quality issues.”

Mahlobo also noted that the water supply system was being managed to ensure reliable supply for all users.

“Owing to the extreme weather in the Northern Cape that could affect capacity, the Vaal Central Water Board has come up with what they call a Trigger Response Plan, through which they will be working with municipalities and stakeholders to tackle any challenge that may arise. Water losses are also being addressed [through] an optimisation system.”

He said that there was an urgent need to finalise the tripartite memorandum of understanding concluded by the DWS, as the guarantor, Vaal Central Water, as the asset manager, and the Mining Forum to enable Phase 2 to move with speed.

The Vaal Gamagara project is a critical water supply scheme serving communities, municipalities, mines, farmers and industries across the Northern Cape, much of which consists of arid areas that receive little rainfall.

The project is central to improving long-term water security, supporting economic growth and sustaining mining and industrial activities, which contribute significantly to the economies of the province and the nation.

Mahlobo and Northern Cape Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs MEC Bentley Vass and Gamagara local municipality executive mayor Councillor Johannes Roman met with various stakeholders on July 7, including representatives of the Vaal-Gamagara Water User Association, the Vaal Central Water Board, the Mining Labour Forum, the Kalahari Water User Association and the Gamagara local municipality to assess the progress made on the bulk water supply project.