CAPE TOWN - The City has officially opened the R162 million Baden Powell Drive bulk water pipeline in Khayelitsha with an aim to strengthen the water supply of thousands in Enkanini, Makaza, Kuyasa, Harare and surrounding areas.
Before the new pipeline was installed, some households experienced lower water pressure than those in the northern and western parts of the city. This was due to the distance from the existing 1 065mm-diameter bulk supply main on the north-western side, combined with rapid and sustained growth in the area and associated demand on supply.
“The purpose of this project was to construct an additional bulk water-supply pipeline and pressure-reducing station, which will supply Khayelitsha from the south-east, Baden Powell Drive side. This additional bulk water supply line will benefit the growing Khayelitsha community and augment the existing feed into the area, which is only from the north-western side,” said mayco member for water and sanitation Zahid Badroodien.
“This new major supply pipeline will transfer an estimated 3 200 litres of water a second into the existing water reticulation system in Khayelitsha.”
The lifespan of the pipelines is at least 50 years, and these could last up to 100 years or more.
To avoid disruption, trenchless technology was used to construct the pipeline when it had to go under roads, canals and underground infrastructure for existing services. Instead of stopping traffic to dig up a road to lay the pipe, the trenchless technology method makes a tunnel underground in which the pipe is inserted. This was especially useful as the pipeline had to cross under infrastructure like the N2 highway, the Kuils River and Kleinvlei Canal and a pressure-reducing valve station
The benefits of the newly installed pipeline are expected to be less waste of water through leaks and losses, especially at night, and an increased pressure for those living in higher lying areas.
The City said before the new pipeline was installed further delays were caused by protest action, challenges associated with the national Covid-19 lockdown, and setting alight of the contractor’s equipment on site.
Cape Times