After years of intermittent water restrictions that have, at times, left residents without supply for days, communities in Mdozo, Manzana, Dicks Halt, Jobstown and Johnstone are set to benefit from a more dependable potable water system.
This follows the launch of the Buffalo River Abstraction Works project by the Newcastle Municipality, a capital investment valued at approximately R92 million.
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The sod-turning ceremony, held on 20 May 2026, marked the formal start of a project municipal officials have described as both necessary and overdue.
The Municipality explained that the project responds directly to sustained population growth in the area, which has, over recent years, placed increasing pressure on existing water infrastructure. As a result, prolonged supply interruptions have become a recurring reality for residents, while planned sanitation developments have also faced delays due to insufficient water availability.
Against this backdrop, the Municipality outlined the scope of work.
This includes the construction of a weir, refurbishment of the existing abstraction tower, drilling of boreholes, and the installation of a rising main.
A 10 ML water treatment works will also be constructed, supported by the necessary electrical infrastructure required for operations.
Once completed, the Municipality said treated water will be channelled into both existing and planned storage facilities. This will allow for future expansion through bulk supply and reticulation networks, positioning the system to accommodate growing demand in the affected communities.
During the sod-turning ceremony, the Municipality confirmed that the project has now entered its implementation phase, with construction scheduled to run for 12 months. Key milestones include the completion of the weir and abstraction infrastructure within the first six months, followed by the commissioning of the 10 ML treatment works.
Beyond the delivery of water infrastructure, the project is also expected to generate short-term economic benefits for the area.
“The project is in the implementation phase and will create temporary employment for 100 local residents, while opening opportunities for local SMMEs. Construction is scheduled to run for 12 months from the commencement date,” the Municipality stated.
In addition to the 100 temporary jobs, the project will prioritise local labour and SMMEs through the Municipality’s EPWP-aligned procurement policy. Skills development components will also include training in construction trades for participating community members, extending the project’s impact beyond its immediate construction phase.
Addressing residents and stakeholders at the ceremony, Newcastle Mayor Cllr Dube framed the project as a response to longstanding service delivery challenges in Ward 7 and surrounding areas.
“This project is the answer to the water challenges that have been facing the community of Ward 7. We have had to introduce water shedding just to make sure people receive water, and at times families went for days without supply. Many projects, including sanitation and toilet projects, could not proceed because of water scarcity in the area,” he explained.
Moreover, Councillor Dube linked the intervention to broader development planning, noting that infrastructure provision must keep pace with residential expansion in this part of Newcastle to avoid repeating past constraints.
He further pointed to additional projects already in the pipeline, extending as far as Entendeka, which are expected to commence in the coming weeks.
“We have more projects in the pipeline to ensure the community does not suffer from water scarcity again. We have projects that go as far as Entendeka that will commence in a few weeks. There are also plans of a new mall for this area in the future, and these water infrastructure projects are laying the groundwork for that development to happen,” added Councillor Dube.
He reiterated the Municipality’s commitment to accelerating service delivery while supporting economic activity through targeted infrastructure investment.
Ultimately, the Buffalo River Abstraction Works project signals a move away from short-term interventions and towards a more structured response to persistent water instability in the affected communities.
With construction now underway, attention shifts from planning and announcement to delivery and performance. The project’s real impact will be measured not by its technical scope alone, but by whether it consistently restores reliable water supply to households and enables essential services to function without disruption.
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we need email address to send cvs for engineering, safety and other related jobs – as promised by the mayor.. Please reply with relevant email address.
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we need email address to send cvs for engineering, safety and other related jobs – as promised by the mayor.. Please reply with relevant email address.