GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - A water expert has told the Graaff-Reinet Business Chamber that the local management of the water treatment works is poor and cause for grave concern.
Hydrogeologist, Neville Paxton, was speaking at the chamber's year end function on Monday 25 November at Coldstream Restaurant.
Paxton's speech was based on groundwater basics in Graaff-Reinet during the current water situation. He gave an overview of the local ground- and surface water situation, as well as of the general Karoo hydrogeology.
Paxton said of the 30 boreholes, four are problematic. In the Mimosadale Wellfield, two of the eight are problematic. These boreholes must supply 2,2 megalitres water per day, but currently, Graaff-Reinet only gets 1,4 megalitres per day out of them.
The 22 boreholes in the Damkamp area can supply 2,7 megalitres per day, but only pump 2 megalitres daily.
Graaff-Reinet's daily off-peak water demand stands on 7,7 megalitres, with the peak demand rising to between 10 and 12 megalitres per day. The current supply is 3,4 megalitres.
Paxton told the guests that current projects, run by consultants to the Department of Water and Sewerage, include four new boreholes pumping water from SANParks; funding for exploration for new groundwater development; upgrading of filters for the water treatment works; upgrading of the booster pump station and pipelines; as well as meter replacement within the Dr Beyers Naudé municipal district.
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