New pipeline aims to end years of unreliable water delivery
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) will on Monday officially unveil the Moretele South Far West Pipeline, a project designed to bring consistent and dependable water access to several villages within the Moretele Local Municipality (MLM). The launch coincides with the final days of Water Month, underscoring the government's commitment to addressing long-standing service delivery challenges in the region.
For years, communities across the MLM have endured erratic water supply, largely because the City of Tshwane — which had been providing water to the municipality via the Temba Water Treatment Works (WTW) — could no longer keep up with surging demand in the Hammanskraal area. The growing pressure on Tshwane's infrastructure meant it was unable to adequately serve both Hammanskraal residents and those living within the MLM, leaving many villages with intermittent access to clean drinking water.
Recognising the urgency of the situation, Magalies Water identified the necessity of establishing an alternative, sustainable source of potable water for the affected communities. This led to the inception of the Moretele South Bulk Water Supply (BWS) Project, which received funding from the DWS through its Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG) schedule. Magalies Water was appointed as the Implementing Agent tasked with bringing the project to fruition.
Infrastructure built to serve multiple communities
The core objective of the initiative was to develop a bulk distribution network capable of delivering treated water from the Klipdrift WTW to Carousel View, Bosplaas West, Mogogelo, and the Far Western systems of the MLM. The pipeline infrastructure represents a significant step forward in ensuring that these areas are no longer reliant on an overstretched Tshwane supply network.
"As part of the project, four bulk pipelines and a 25 MI command reservoir at Dilopye village were constructed to ensure adequate storage and reliable water supply."
The construction of the reservoir at Dilopye village is a critical component of the broader scheme, as it will provide sufficient storage capacity to buffer against fluctuations in demand and maintain a steady flow of water to connected communities. The four bulk pipelines form the backbone of the new distribution system, linking the treatment facility to the areas most in need of improved services.
The department's decision to channel resources into bulk water infrastructure in the region reflects a broader strategy to tackle water insecurity in municipalities where rapid population growth has outpaced existing capacity. By establishing an independent supply route through the Klipdrift WTW, the project effectively decouples the MLM from Tshwane's constrained system, offering a long-term solution rather than a temporary fix.
Monday's official launch is expected to mark a turning point for residents who have long contended with unpredictable water availability, and signals the department's intent to prioritise reliable access to safe drinking water in underserved parts of the country.
South Africans in the Moretele Local Municipality stand to benefit significantly as reliable water access supports household health, attracts small businesses, and stabilises farming activities that underpin the local economy. Consistent water supply can reduce costly private water purchases and lower health risks from unsafe alternatives. If the pipeline performs as designed, it may serve as a replicable model for other municipalities facing similar infrastructure shortfalls driven by rapid urbanisation and population growth.
