Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina has reaffirmed government’s commitment to fast-track the rollout of bulk water infrastructure projects across the country.
Majodina made the commitment during the official handover of the Kirkwood Bulk Water Project to the Sundays River Valley Local Municipality, on Monday.
Funded through the Department of Water and Sanitation’s Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG), the R35 million project represents a transformative investment in water security for the Kirkwood community and the wider Eastern Cape province.
The project, implemented by Amatola Water, includes the construction of a new 14 million-litre raw water storage dam, which boosts the total storage capacity from 20.2 million litres to 34.2 million litres.
The expansion ensures an uninterrupted water supply, even during the annual maintenance shutdown of the Orange-Fish Water Scheme, which previously left the communities exposed to water shortages.
In addition to the dam, the project delivered two new 3.0-megalitre reservoirs in Kirkwood Town and Bontrug (Moses Mabida), as well as critical pipework upgrades to improve water distribution efficiency and reduce losses.
The project will also bring tangible benefits to communities, including reliable water access for 3,963 households and an estimated population of 16 778.
The improved infrastructure will also bring reliable water access to the communities, including 3,963 households, benefiting an estimated 16 778 population.
The project is also expected to bolster the local citrus industry, a key economic driver in the region, by enhancing water reliability for agricultural operations - thereby safeguarding jobs and export revenues.
Addressing the community during a handover ceremony, Majodina said the completion of Kirkwood Bulk Water Project, is more than just infrastructure, but “a clear demonstration of this government’s urgent and unwavering commitment to water security for all.”
“We are now entering a phase where we must - and will - fast-track the rollout of bulk water projects across the country with speed, focus, and accountability. Water is not a luxury, it is a basic right and a driver of economic growth, health, and dignity.
“Communities like Kirkwood deserve nothing less, and we will not rest until every household, farm, and business has reliable access to water,” Majodina said.
The Minister also urged the public to actively safeguard water infrastructure, take pride in the assets, and to work with the government to protect them.
“We call on all South Africans to avoid, prevent, and report any acts of vandalism, or theft that threaten our water systems. These projects belong to the people [and] when infrastructure is destroyed, it is our communities, our families, and our children who suffer,” Majodina said.
The project, which started in July 2023 and completed in March 2025, has brought inclusive economic benefits during its construction phase, generating 41 jobs for local community members and engaging 10 local small businesses, furthering the department’s goals for empowerment and local economic development.
The project components included:
• A 14-million-litre raw water lay dam at the Kirkwood Water Treatment Works;
• All associated infrastructure such as inlet chambers, interconnecting pipework, and security fencing;
• A 3.0-million-litre steel reservoir in Kirkwood serving Aqua Park, Bergsig, and surrounds;
• A second 3.0-million-litre reservoir in Bontrug, supplying Moses Mabida, Msengeni, and nearby settlements; and
• Interlinking pipework to enable zoning and efficient water distribution across the municipal network.
Majodina was joined by the Sarah Baartman District Municipality Mayor, Deon de Vos, and Sundays River Valley Local Municipality Mayor, Solethu Lucas. – SAnews.gov.za
