PROJECTS: BWP OVERVIEW

BERG WATER PROJECT (BWP)

The R1,6- billion flagship Berg Water Project in Franschhoek augments the supply of water to the City of Cape Town. In March 2009 it was officially inaugurated by former President Kgalema Motlanthe. It was mandated in May 2002 and became operational in December 2007.

Project Profile

A new dam with a capacity of 130 million m cubed was constructed together with a supplementary scheme, consisting of a two pump station river abstraction weir and a pipeline matrix of 12 km.

In addition to the dam, an extension scheme located 10 km downstream, alongside the Drakenstein Prison, diverts winter high flows entering the Berg River from the Franschhoek, Wemmershoek and Dwars River tributaries, supplementing water stored in the dam. Water from the scheme is pumped to the dam via the Drakenstein Pump Station, along a 9,5-km pipeline.

The project was the first in South Africa to be designed, constructed and operated in strict accordance with the guidelines of the United Nations World Commission on Dams.

Another unique feature of South Africa's Berg River Dam is t he fact that it is the first large dam in the world where provision has been made to prevent environment al catastrophes by putting into place flood release mechanisms.

La Motte Village

The R30-million La Motte Village made available 80 houses for service provider s involved in t he project. Emerging contractors from the project area were awarded contract s to build 40 houses. At the conclusion of the project, the village was transferred to the Stellenbosch Municipality. Proceeds from the sale of the houses are used to fund further housing development in the area.