OR Tambo spends bulk of infrastructure grants on water projects

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16-02-2026
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Mthatha Express
Source

Of it’s over a billion-rand infrastructure grants, the OR Tambo District Municipality will spend 81% on water infrastructure projects to ensure an uninterrupted water supply while permanent bulk water infrastructure is under construction.

Municipal spokesperson, Ncebakazi Kolwane, said the interventions formed part of a long-term, funded programme to secure reliable and sustainable water provision for Mthatha and surrounding towns.

Kolwane said the municipality continues to invest in water infrastructure across the district. “During the current financial year, there is R95 million allocated through the Water Services Infrastructure Grant for 11 water schemes, including new projects and the refurbishment of existing infrastructure. There is R250 million allocated through the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant for new bulk water infrastructure projects.

The Municipality remains committed to strengthening water security, managing growth-related pressures and delivering long-term, sustainable water solutions for all communities within the district.

Of the R716.9 million Municipal Infrastructure Grant allocation, R518.1 million is dedicated to water projects, including pipelines and reservoirs linked to water treatment works.

“The remaining R198.8 million is allocated to sanitation projects. All projects are implemented in line with approved budgets and are subject to ongoing technical and financial oversight.

“The Municipality remains committed to strengthening water security, managing growth-related pressures and delivering long-term, sustainable water solutions for all communities within the district,” she said.

The implementation of a long-term intervention to secure and stabilise the raw water supply from the Mthatha Dam to the Thornhill and Highbury Water Treatment Works was underway. The two water treatment works supply Mthatha and nearby areas.

“This intervention includes the construction of nine pump stations that will form a single, integrated raw water supply system from the dam. The current civil works contract for the pump stations has been awarded R49.8 million, with an additional estimated R14 million allocated for the pumps. While construction is underway, the Thornhill Water Treatment Works continues to receive raw water from Mthatha Dam through a fully functional temporary siphon system,” Kolwane said.

She said that this system provides the required volumes to meet operational demand and has no negative impact on water flow to the treatment works. It was in place to ensure continuity of supply while the permanent infrastructure is completed. “Once commissioned, the pump stations will provide a permanent, direct raw water supply to both the Thornhill and Highbury Water Treatment Works. In addition, the system will serve as an alternative supply during major breakdowns or planned maintenance, significantly improving system reliability and reducing the risk of prolonged disruptions,” she said.