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Water service delivery was boosted by an oversight visit to water and sanitation services infrastructure and the launching of the newly upgraded Brandvlei Water Feeder Canal by Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu and his Deputy Minister David Mahlobo in the Western Cape this week.

The Brandvlei Water Feeder Canal project which is part of the Greater Brandvlei Scheme was unveiled and officially handed over to its beneficiaries yesterday (10 February 2023) in Rawsonville, Breede Valley Region.

The Scheme, operated by the Department of Water and Sanitation and consists of two state owned off-channel dams, the Brandvlei Dam and Kwaggaaskloof dams, riparian to the Breede River, is one of Minister Mchunu’s priority projects for the province. 

The project was completed in October 2022, and entailed the increasing of the wall of the feeder by 300mm over a 4kilometre stretch which enabled 33 million cubes of additional water can be stored. The newly uplifted canal will increase the water flow to the dam, contributing to an increase irrigation activity which will in turn boost Agri-economy of that region.

During the opening ceremony held at the canal site, Mchunu thanked the construction workers for their diligent work and dedication, and for completing the project within budget and on schedule. “With winter rains approaching, it is the most appropriate time to hand over the canal.

“The additional 4400 hectares of land that will benefit from this project will go a long way in unlocking further employment and business opportunities for the people of Breede Valley,” Minister Mchunu said.

The handing over of the Brandvlei Canal Feeder is a shot in the arm for Western Cape

Provincial Government. Addressing the crowds at the launch, Western Cape MEC for Local Government, Mr Anton Bredell said the R 21 Million project is anticipated to accelerate and stimulate agricultural economy of that region. “This newly upgraded canal will lead to improve agricultural activity which will in turn create jobs and assist small scale farmers.”

Meanwhile, on Thursday 09 February, Minister Mchunu praised the Overberg Water Board on its efforts to improve the performance of the Duivenhoks system which extracts raw water from the Duivenhoks dam and Duivenhoks River close to Heidelberg in the Hessequa Local municipality.

The raw water is treated at the Duivenhoks Water Treatment Works (WTW) and supplied to the surrounding farming towns including Heidelberg in the Municipality. Minister Mchunu said despite resource constraint he was pleased to see generators being used at Duivenhoks treatment plant ensuring uninterrupted water supply to the users.

On the same day, Minister Mchunu conducted an oversight visit to Napier Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW) in the Cape Agulhas Local Municipality, funded through the Department’s Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG) at a tune of 24 Million. The project which is currently under construction is set to unlock both industrial and housing delivery for the small town in the Overberg District.

Issued by Department of Water and Sanitation