Two standby
generators, part of the Mossel Bay Municipality’s commitment to excellent,
sustainable service delivery pertaining to the continued provision of water to
all communities, even during prolonged periods of loadshedding, was delivered
this week on Monday, 21 August.
The purchase of
the standby generators was made possible through the Emergency Municipal Load
Shedding Relief Grant, provided by the Western Cape Provincial Government
earlier this year. This financial grant
contribution (R5m, incl. VAT) was intended for the purchase and installation of
back-up generators, which includes all ancillary cost associated with the
installation, i.e. switchgear, safe keeping, caging, etc., for water and wastewater infrastructure as an
immediate response to the prolonged loadshedding, thereby mitigating the impact
on the provision of basic services and potential health risks.
The tender for the supply of standby generator units was awarded
on 3 May this year and the first two unites, namely the 650kVA and 500kVA, were
delivered to Mossel Bay on 21 August 2023. The units are expected to be
commissioned by mid-October 2023 when the site preparation and installation
should be completed. These units will be implemented at the Grunter water pump
station (650kVA generator) and the Omega water pump station (500kVA generator).
Another unit will be installed at the Sandhoogte sewerage pumpstation
(150kVA generator).
The two pump stations where the
standby generator units received will be installed, are part of the same water
supply network and serves a vast area which includes KwaNonqaba, Asla
Park, Heiderand, Extension 13, D’Almeida and Pinnacle Point.
The units will
ensure that pumping of potable water to reservoirs can continue during
loadshedding. This will ensure continued provision of water to all communities,
preventing areas to run dry. The standby generators for the sanitation services
will prevent sewerage spillages and the resultant health and environmental
risks that could result.
The increased frequency of Stage 4 to Stage 6
loadshedding is having a major impact on the municipality’s ability to provide
basic services. Prolonged periods of loadshedding have caused interruptions to
the supply of potable water and sanitation services.
This project also supports the strategic
objectives in the Integrated Development Plan (IDP), being the creation of an inclusive,
responsive, and healthy environment conducive for living and sustainable
growth.
