Merweville: a drought stricken Karoo Town – the water supply turned around with teamwork

Merweville is a special and charming little town located in the central Karoo: quaint; tidy; peaceful; crime-free; with stunning night skies and lovely people. However, it has been in the grips of a serious drought for many years. The town is entirely dependent on boreholes for its water supply. The situation was particularly dire in December 2020 with the main reservoir leaking and being under-sized; the borehole water levels close to pump inlets; and the boreholes themselves substandard.  Even with severe water restrictions, fresh water had to be brought in by tankers to the town.

In a year, the situation has turned around entirely. Funding was made available from a number of

sources and multiple teams sprang into action. A detailed groundwater exploration programme commenced (which built on the detailed knowledge GEOSS already had of the existing situation); the civil consulting engineers (Zutari) commenced with planning and building a new reservoir (500 KL) and repair of the existing reservoir (200 KL). Piping infrastructure was repaired. Borehole drilling also took place successfully (success being defined as not drilling a dry borehole – the geology is not favourable in the area and successful boreholes are in the range of 1 800 – 3 600 L/hr (i.e. 0.5 – 1 L/s). 

The borehole yields were correctly yield tested according to SANS 10299-4 and borehole operational guidelines established and aquifer parameters calculated. This information was passed on to the client, the consulting engineers and TG Elektries.  The instructions were carefully followed and the existing boreholes upgraded and the new boreholes equipped. Eskom brought supply lines to the new boreholes that were farther away from town.  

In addition, boreholes were also equipped with solar power supply as electrical load shedding has a huge impact on ensuring the reservoirs have sufficient water.  The low borehole yields mean the “supply vs requirement” balance is extremely delicate. The boreholes were equipped with water level loggers; flow meters; VSDs and much more, all integrated onto a single cloud-based telemetry system which enables the monitoring and control of the entire system on-line. Integ built the system, ensuring the hydrogeologists; engineers, scheme operators and managers all have access to the data they require . The hydrogeologists carefully ensure the Solar supply to the boreholes and sustainability of supply from each borehole and the associated infrastructure. overall operation of the supply scheme on a regular basis.

So, in December 2021 - a year later, the town supply was completely stable and reservoirs basically full, never dipping below the safe reservoir levels. The entire scheme is easily monitored daily and problems with supply are immediately evident (alarm systems are built-in). In addition to the many positive attributes of the town, it fortunately also has good water quality and as mentioned is crime-free, so the water supply is not affected by vandalism. In addition, good rains were received this summer. Water restrictions have been relaxed and the supply times increased.  The scheme still remains in a delicate (yet stable) balance and to increase assurance of supply, additional boreholes still have to be added to the network. To ensure the continued success of the scheme, it is absolutely critical that funds are available for the continued maintenance of the scheme and the ability to repair breakdowns must be quick and cost-effectively implemented.

So, the team work on this project has been outstanding.  The Department of Water and Sanitation; the Western Cape Department of Local Government, Eskom, the Beaufort West Municipality, Zutari (the consulting engineers), De Jagers Loodgieter Kontrakteurs (the Civil Engineering Contractor); GEOSS (the hydrogeologists); TG Elektries (borehole equipping and all related infrastructure); Integ (entire data integration and telemetry), and the multitude of sub-contractors involved in the reservoir construction, piping, electrification (and so much more), have contributed to this flag-ship project. It can be done!

Written by: J. Conrad – GEOSS South Africa (Pty) Ltd (2 March 2022)

During the course of 2021 before the Local Government Elections, the MEC for Finance in the Province advised the Beaufort West Municipality of the decision of the Western Cape Cabinet to intervene in the Beaufort West Municipality in terms of Section 139(5)(c) of the Constitution.  The Beaufort West Council without any hesitant took a decision to welcome the intervention and committed to full cooperation with the intervention.

The intervention translated into a draft Mandatory Financial Recovery Plan that was widely consulted with all the relevant stakeholders.

On the 22nd of February 2022 the Minister of Finance submitted the MFRS to the MEC in terms of Section 143 of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA)

Provincial Treasury subsequently performed a detailed analysis to verify that the process set out in Section 141 of the MFMA was followed and that the criteria contained in Section 142 of the MFMA are met in respect of the FRP.

On 23 March 2022 the FRP was tabled before Council and Council unanimously resolved to approve and adopt the FRP, this means that –

1. the Municipality must implement the Financial Recovery Plan
2. all revenue, expenditure and budget decisions must be taken within the framework of, and subject to the limitation of the FRP and, 
3. the Municipality must report monthly to the MEC: Finance on the Implementation of the Financial Recovery Plan in such a manner as the FRP may determine.

The Beaufort West Council is excited with the latest development as the FRP will be used as an instrument to guide the Municipality in addressing the financial crisis and ensure that service delivery is drastically improved.

The Beaufort West Council therefore appeals to all stakeholders to give full support and cooperation to this intervention as it is for the benefit of the entire communities of Beaufort West, Murraysburg, Nelspoort and Merweville.  A financial healthy and sustainable institution will ensure that needed investment reaches the town of Beaufort West and its surroundings.

In conclusion the Beaufort West Council wish to thank the National Treasury, Provincial Treasury, Local Government, SALGA, Labour, Councillors, workers, the community at large for all your their inputs in ensuring that the Financial Recovery Plan is finalized.  Your support in the implementation will be appreciated. 

ISSUED BY:  BEAUFORT WEST MUNICPALITY

Speaker                  Executive Mayor       Acting Municipal Manager 

N Constable           G Pietersen                  AC Makendlana