DWAF ANNUAL HEARINGS


BACKGROUND


The water scheme was constructed during the 1970's and the Namakwa Water Board came into being in 1982. The scheme exist of an extraction point on the Orange River at Henkries mond, purification works at Henkries, a booster pump station at Doringwater and round about 130 km's of pipeline to Springbok. The water is pumped from Herrrries to Eenrietberg from where it gravitates to Springbok. From Springbok to Kleinzee is another 120 km's of pipeline.


AREA OF SERVICE DELIVERY


Namakwa Water Board are a bulk supplier of water to the Nama Khoi Municipal jurisdiction area. The communities that we serve are: Steinkop{ Okiep, Concordia, Nababeep, Bulletrap, Carolusberg, Springbok and Kleinzee with an estimate population of + 50 000. Total water sales per annum: 1.9 million kilolitres which amount to 160 000 kilolitres per month. Raw water supplied to Dadekyk at Henkries total 77 243 kilolitres per annum. The total water sales amounts to R 6.5 million per annum. Total income R 7.4 million and total expenditure R 8.6 million. The current water tariff is R 2.99 + VAT. The Board budgeted for the deficit as its contribution to keep water affordable for the poor consumers as far as possible. The deficit was funded through surplus funds of the Board.


COMPOSITION OF BOARD


Originally there were 8 Board members but currently we are only 5 members. The term of office of the Board has expired but the minister granted an extension of the term of office as to afford Nama Khoi Municipality the opportunity to conduct a section 78 assessment as to who will be the water services provider. We are one of the smallest Water Boards in the country. The workforce consist of 32 personnel of which 5 are women.


UPGRADING OF WATER NETWORK


Currently the Board is busy with the upgrading of j 7 km's of pipeline between Henkries and Doringwater to the tune of R 7 million which is financed by 'n loan from DBSA. After completion this will increase the supply capacity of the network and make it more consistent/reliable.


CHALLENGES

· Upgrading of the existing old pipeline (Eenriet - Okiep)

· Maintenance of infrastructure

· Possible expansion of the pipeline to supply water to Kamiesberg Municipality

· Control of pollution that occur upstream

· Pumping costs

· Reduction of waterlosses I pipebursts


CONCLUSION


The Water Board over the years delivered potable drinking water in a sustainable fashion to the communities at large in the Nama Khoi municipal area. Prior 2000 we delivered water to 2 mining industries named Okiep Copper Co (Okiep, Nababeep, Carolusberg) and De Beers Diamond mines (Kleinzee) and to 4 transitional councils. All the mining operations of Okiep Copper Co closed down during September 2004 thus leaving Nama Khoi with a big percentage of unemployed consumers in its area. The Board annually has an awareness campaign where we specially involve the schools in the area (learners and tutors).