GEORGE NEWS - The upgrade of the town's storm water system started earlier this year in selected areas, where heavy rainfall cause severe clogging, known as bottle-necking.
Four of the seven projects identified have already been completed in the first six months of 2021.
Acting Director of Civil Engineering Services Lionel Daniels said high rainfall in George and surrounds frequently cause flooding of various low-lying erven and often causes bottlenecks in the existing storm water system.
"The upgrading of the system is essential for better service delivery. The bottle-necking is mostly caused by dumped refuse and all sorts of items such as, sticks, branches, rags and many other undesirable objects that land up in the storm water drain system."
The municipality appointed a consultant to draw up a Storm Water Master Plan (SWMP) for the city. Due to budget constraints the SWMP is being completed incrementally with the most critical areas receiving priority.
In the 2020/21 financial year the following areas were prioritised: Bougainvillea North, Bougainvillea South, Croton Close and Primrose Crescent project in New Dawn Park (23 November 2020 to 30 June 2021); the Protea Road, Reier Street and Lammervanger Close project in Andersonville (10 December 2020 to 30 June 2021); the Gongo Street and Dick Street project in Zone 9, Thembalethu (10 December 2020 to 30 June 2021); and the Makeleni Street / Gqeba Street project in Zone 1, Thembalethu (1 December 2020 to 30 June 2021).
Work being done on the Thembalethu storm water project in Zone 9.
Funds
The construction work was funded from the Municipal Infrastructure Grant Programme (MIG) and funds from the municipality's own coffers.
The upgrading of storm water infrastructure is a priority in the municipality's Infrastructure Development Plan, with the above-mentioned projects first on the list.
The work included the upgrading of existing storm water pipes to bigger diameter pipes, upgrading of the storm water structures, the reconstructing and upgrading of gravel roads to a brick-paved surface and channelling overland flows for larger rainfall incidents out of the residential areas.
The high volume of traffic during the day necessitated night work when the construction crossed Nelson Mandela Boulevard.
Nine emerging contractors from the different neighbourhoods were appointed as subcontractors and more than 75 EPWP labourers worked on the projects. Labour-based construction principles were applied wherever possible to provide skills transfer and training.
In the 2021/22 financial year, the municipality plans to continue with the roll-out of these storm water projects in Borcherds, Lawaaikamp, Parkdene, Ballotsview and Thembalethu.
Work being done on the Thembalethu storm water project in Zone 9.
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