The Department of Water and Sanitation, handed over upgraded bulk water pipelines, a reservoir, pump station and reservoir tower, to the Thembalethu community in George, in the Western Cape, on Tuesday.
In addition, storage capacity and treatment systems were significantly improved.
The project is part of the Phase 12 Budget Facility for Infrastructure (BFI) programme, making up a R1.4 billion investment, aimed at supplying drinking water to the town of George.
The Municipality said in a statement, the project will also reduce pollution risks and enhance resilience of the municipal water network.
Speaking at the handover Ntombizanele Bila-Mupariwa, said the project will serve as a catalyst for socio-economic development in George.
“Beyond enhancing water security, the project will improve drinking water quality and contribute to the reduction of pollution in key watercourses.”
She called on residents to take collective responsibility in safeguarding the infrastructure, emphasising the importance of preventing vandalism to ensure its long-term sustainability.
Other water projects the town has invested in, are a new Water Treatment Works, a raw water balancing dam (40 Mℓ), sewer pumpstation upgrades and the Garden Route Dam Outlet and Supply Upgrade, as well as Pacaltsdorp and Thembalethu Reservoirs.
The Municipality serves more than 294,942 residents across 85,931 households in 28 wards.
Picture from left: Cllr Eric Mdaka, Ward 12 Councillor, Ntombizanele Bila-Mupariwa, Provincial Head: of Western Cape at the Department of Water and Sanitation, Ald Gert van Niekerk (Deputy Mayor) and Cllr Thembinkosi Lento Ward 9 Councillor.