Anton Bredell, Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs, and Development Planning congratulated Breede Valley Municipality on progress made with the construction of a new 20 Mega Litre water reservoir outside Worcester. The local government arranged for a site visit yesterday to showcase the project.
Bredell said all people in South Africa should benefit from a local government that plans and invests in infrastructure that will allow for future economic growth and development. “Without water security, it is impossible for a community to prosper. Breede Valley Municipality understands this, and therefor they have done the work to now be able to commence with the construction of this water reservoir, which will augment their water security for future decades.”
Bredell said the Western Cape population increases by more than 100 000 people a year, and municipalities need to incorporate this in all their planning activities. “Population growth places huge pressure on budgets and resources, but the only way to deal with it is through careful planning and budgeting.”
The new water reservoir has a budget of R74million, of which R24.7million comes from the National Municipal Infrastructure Grand, and R49.3million is funded by the Breede Valley Municipality. The Provincial Department of Local Government supports the project with planning, registration, monitoring and evaluation, and compliance administration.
Construction commenced in April 2022, and the project is scheduled for completion in August 2023.