/ 29 June 2005

Pipeline from Vaal to Secunda in 2007

A R2,2-billion water pipeline from the Vaal River to Sasol and Eskom operations near Secunda has to be completed by July 2007, the project’s funders said on Wednesday.

Martie van Rensburg — chief executive of the Trans Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA) which manages and funds the project — told reporters in Centurion on Wednesday the pipeline would provide about 160-million cubic metres of water.

Work on the project was to begin later this year.

TCTA’s projects include the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, the Berg Water Project in the Western Cape, and an advisory role on the funding of the Spring Grove Dam bulk water development in KwaZulu-Natal.

Van Rensburg said the Berg water project, currently South Africa’s largest infrastructure project, was also to be completed in 2007.

”We have had to devise some innovative processes and structures to ensure sustainability.”

”Despite this, progress has been excellent and we fully expect the project to be completed in time in 2007.” TCTA is a state-owned liability management organisation. -Sapa