City Teams up with Local Company to Transport Water to Beaufort West

In the light of the severe water shortage being experienced by the Beaufort West community the City of Cape Town has partnered with Henred - SA Roadtankers, a local company in Bellville that manufactures water tankers, in an initiative to transport one hundred and fifty thousand (150 000) litres of potable water to Beaufort West by Wednesday 15 December 2010.

"The town of Beaufort West is currently without any surface water sources as its supply dam is completely empty. It is at present solely reliant on groundwater from boreholes, donations of water in tankers and bottles from individuals and organisations who heed the call to provide water. Every drop of water is seen as a blessing. The municipality has restricted its community to twelve (12) Kilolitres/household/month and completely cuts the water supply every thirty-six (36) hours. Tankers then supply the households with wash water and five (5) litres of drinking water per day. No vehicle washing, irrigation of gardens etc. is allowed, "says Louw Smit, Director: Engineering Services of the Beaufort West Municipality.

This initiative came about when Gerrard Mouton of Henred - SA Roadtankers, contacted the Water and Sanitation Department's Communication Officer, Farouk Robertson, about the possibility of a joint venture to provide some relief to the residents of Beaufort West. Mouton approached his company after listening to a radio programme in which people were requested to donate bottled water to Beaufort West. His company agreed to provide the water tankers on condition that he obtained permission from the City to supply the water at no cost.

Mouton also established contact with Louw Smit to discuss the proposal. He then submitted the proposal to the City of Cape Town where it was relayed to the Mayor who immediately granted his approval.

Whilst Henred - SA Roadtankers manufactured the discharge nozzle adaptors to couple the tanker to the transfer pump at the Beaufort West reservoir, the City's Water and Sanitation Department made its own logistical arrangements. Louw Smit and Hein Rust of the Central Karoo Disaster Management Agency were informed of the City's intention to supply the potable water in partnership with Henred SA Roadtankers. Both of them expressed their gratitude for the noble gesture to supply such a large volume of water to their consumers. Smit's Department made the necessary arrangements to receive the water tankers and transfer the water to their 0, 1 ML (100 000 litres) reservoir which is the most suitable for this type of operation. The water will then be transferred via a booster pump to a distribution reservoir on a higher location.

"There is not enough water for the town and that's why we requested assistance for bottled water and in tankers. Our surface water is non-existent at the moment. The restrictive measures we have put in place have saved a considerable amount of water. The Beaufort West Municipality is also currently engaged in projects to explore other sources of water supply such as the reclamation plant which is currently nearing completion and will provide a measure of relief. On behalf of the community of Beaufort West I would like to thank the City of Cape Town for this very humane and caring gesture," said Smit.

The Water and Sanitation Department identified the Glen Garry Reservoir in Brackenfell as the best placed bulk supply source to fill the water tankers. The first tanker was filled on Friday afternoon at 15:30 and departed for Beaufort West. Another tanker will be filled at 14:00 today.

The City has also sent a water quality specialist to Beaufort West to provide guidance to the municipality on water quality related matters such as sampling, testing and monitoring of the drinking water at various installations.

Alderman Clive Justus, the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Utility Services, said: "The City of Cape Town has joined this noble initiative to send water to the drought stricken Beaufort West because firstly, we have a duty to do so as a City and it also is imperative that we assist our fellow municipalities/citizens in their hour of need as this is how we show our solidarity as South Africans. As the proverb states 'a friend in need is a friend indeed' and the Henred - SA Roadtankers Company has proven that when organisations join forces much more can be achieved with greater efficiency. As a City we are proud to be a party to this venture and encourage others to do likewise in order to see the residents of Beaufort West through this drought period. They will appreciate all the help that comes their way."

Issued by:
Communication Department
City of Cape Town