Then came Public Works! Three months ago Milné van Leeuwen's General Buildings team launched a water purification project that solved the whole problem. Chief Works Inspector Mosimaneotsile (Alfredo) Malgas and contractor Alistair Ewen from Gauteng Water Treatment took us up a very steep hill to see the main purification plant. Water that flows from the mountain is brought into contact with lime to raise the low acidic pH value to a suitable level. The plant also does the necessary chlorination and removal of solids in the water at a rate of 700 litres per hour.
Alfredo explained that, apart from the construction work that had to be done on the reservoir to prevent rats and snakes from falling into it, a hundred metre stretch of piping had to be installed along with a new pressure station. "The project took three months to complete and cost approximately R320 000," he said. According to Alistair, his company made sure that at least four jobs were created for unemployed people for the duration of the contract.
 The old reservoir, where solids and fungus growth are clearly visible on the side wall |
 Mosimaneotsile (Alfredo) Malgas (right), project co-ordinator from Works: General Buildings and Alistair Ewen from Gauteng Water Treatment are standing in front of one of the supporting units of the water purifying plant at Jonkershoek |
Enquiries:
Chris Prins
Manager: Communication
Department of Transport and Public Works
Tel: 021 483 2132
Email: cwprins@pgwc.gov.za
