MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Two standby generators, part of the Mossel Bay Municipality's commitment to provision of water to all communities, even during prolonged periods of load shedding, arrived in town on Monday, 21 August, the municipality announced this week.
The purchase of the standby generators was made possible through the Emergency Municipal Load Shedding Relief Grant, provided by the Western Cape Provincial Government earlier this year.
This financial grant (R5 million, including VAT) was intended for the purchase and installation of back-up generators, which includes all ancillary costs associated with the installation, such as switchgear, safe keeping and caging for water and wastewater infrastructure.
The municipality noted this was an immediate response to the prolonged load shedding, mitigating the impact on the provision of basic services and potential health risks.
The tender for the supply of standby generator units was awarded on 3 May this year and these are the first two units, 650kVA and 500kVA.
The units are expected to be commissioned by mid-October, when the site preparation and installation should be completed.
These units will be implemented at the Grunter water pump station (650kVA generator) and the Omega water pump station (500kVA generator). Another unit will be installed at the Sandhoogte sewerage pumpstation (150kVA generator).
Pump stations
The two pump stations where the units received will be installed are part of the same water supply network, which serves a vast area including KwaNonqaba, Asla Park, Heiderand, Extension 13, D'Almeida and Pinnacle Point.
The units will ensure that pumping of potable water to reservoirs can continue during load shedding. This will ensure the continued provision of water to all communities, preventing areas from running dry.
The standby generators for the sanitation services will prevent sewage spills and the resultant health and environmental risks that could result.
The increased frequency of Stage 4 to Stage 6 load shedding is having a major impact on the municipality's ability to provide basic services. Prolonged periods of load shedding have caused interruptions in the supply of potable water and sanitation services.
This project also supports the strategic objectives of the Integrated Development Plan (IDP), being the creation of an inclusive, responsive and healthy environment conducive for living and sustainable growth. - Mossel Bay Municipality
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