ALBERTON-Parts of Alberton from New Redruth running through to Meyersdal have been the scene of a R1.3 billion new pipeline project currently being undertaken by Rand Water Board.
The project started in May 2014 with expected completion in the first quarter of 2016. According to Justice Mohale, media relations manager at Rand Water, the new pipeline is being constructed to replace an old existing concrete pipeline, which needs to be repaired. The new pipeline will also assist in augmenting the system due to increasing demand, he says.
Some disruption has been caused to motorists, learners and parents at Marais Viljoen High School, where traffic officers are at times being used to direct traffic during peak school hours.
The new pipeline project stretches along a 14.2 km route (first phase) and is 2 100mm in diameter and a further six kilometres, also 2 100mm in diameter, in the second phase. The first phase starts from Rand Water’s Palmiet Pumping Station and ends at Signal Hill Reservoir. The second phase will be from Signal Hill reservoir to Klipfontein Reservoir.
A stretch of the new pipeline will run through the Reading golf course. Work on this particular section will start in May this year and should be completed in August.
David Smith, general manager at Reading CC, says: “We expect minimal disruptions to our daily operations as the actual servitude misses most of the fairways. We have had a very productive meeting with Rand Water and the contractors tasked with laying the new water pipeline through our course. All parties are committed to completing the project as quickly as possible and with the minimum disruption to the course.
“We may have to build one or two new tee boxes to be used for this period, and we will work very closely with the contractors to ensure that no golf will be interrupted unnecessarily.
“The contractors have also undertaken to do the work in sections. This means digging up a section, putting in the pipe and closing again, before moving to the next section. They will also provide paths where necessary for golfers to cross,” he says.
David further explains that all areas of the course being worked on will be completely reinstated by the contractors and Rand Water Board.
A Google map of the actual servitude has been put up in the bar area at Reading Country Club, indicating the actual line and where it crosses the course.
