Officials are confident that Makana Municipality will be able to handle the infrastructure demands of the National Arts Festival, from 3 to 13 July.
Officials are confident that Makana Municipality will be able to handle the infrastructure demands of the National Arts Festival, from 3 to 13 July.
City Engineer Thembinkosi Myalato and Amatola Water’s Area Operations Manager, Chris Nair confirmed this week that plans are on track for a R50 million upgrade to the city's water infrastructure.
The rescue grant from the Eastern Cape Development Cooperation (ECDC) totals R75m.
Myalato said the budget has been spread over two financial years – R50m in 2013/2014 and R25m in the 2014/2015 financial year.
Both Nair and Myalato are confident that the current plans are on track.
“There are a number of points we have to meet in a period of budget activities and they are all happening as we speak,” said Myalato.
Myalato said the six aspects of water management being upgraded include an update to the billing system; adding a spare motor to the pump set system at Howieson's Poort pump station and installing new electrical lines to the city's two water treatment plants.
“Once there is an electrical line extended across town and a third motor to add to a pump set, both of which are in process, most of the water problems will be behind us,” said Nair.
Nair said that in March, Grahamstown water quality had gone from 50% compliance with national standards to 94%.
During Scifest, Nair said they had managed to maintain a consistent water supply for the city and its visitors. This was despite problems with the Howieson's Poort pumps.
Nair said most upgrade plans are scheduled ahead of the start of the National Arts Festival.
Myalato said the municipality was confident it could handle the demands of the Festival.
“We were committed to Scifest and now we have committed to Arts Festival,” said Myalato.
