THREE multimillion-rand bulk infrastructure projects were unveiled at Hankey and Patensie on Friday.
The projects are part of Kouga Municipality’s massive R100-million injection into the bulk service capacity of the towns where more than 1 000 RDP houses are set to be built. Funding for the projects was made available by the provincial Department of Human Settlements and the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG).
The completed projects that were unveiled at Hankey were the new water reservoir, which had been built at a cost of R10,2-million, and the Hankey sewerage pump station, which had been upgraded at a cost of R4,8-million.
Infrastructure Portfolio Councillor Patrick Kota said other projects in Hankey were also nearing completion, including the upgrade of the Hankey Waste Water Treatment Works at a cost of R6,9-million.
“Weston, where 196 RDP houses are set to be built, also benefited from our recent bulk upgrades. R14-million was spent on upgra-ding the Weston Waste Water Treatment Works and a further R2-million was used to build a new steel-pressed water reservoir,” he said.
Also unveiled on Friday was the R19-million upgrade to Patensie’s bulk water supply system. The upgrade included extensive work to the town’s water treatment works, as well as a new reservoir and water tower to increase the storage capacity and improve water pressure to communities.
Kota said Patensie’s sewer system was also in the process of being improved.
“Three sewer projects are currently underway,” he said.
“We upgraded the Patensie Waste Water Treatment Works at a cost of R5,9-million. Work on a new sewer pump station is also nearing completion, at a cost of R25-million. Good progress has further been made on the replacement of the digester system in Ramaphosa Village with a waterborne sewer system at a total cost of R25-million.”
He said most of the work was in preparation for upcoming RDP housing projects, but that existing homes would also reap the benefits of the upgrades.
“Kouga is one of the fastest-growing areas in South Africa. We are proud that we have been able to make a significant contribution to the bulk service infrastructure of our towns over the past five years. These projects not only created job opportunities for local residents, but they will also help to ensure that we have the capacity to continue delivering basic services to all our communities.”
