annexure d executive summary of bcm sector plans - Buffalo City

INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT PLAN: REVIEW 2010/11ANNEXURE Dresources will need to be augmented in the next 5-10 years, to meet the anticipateddemands.The quality of the surface water in the main catchments is deteriorating due to salinisationand industrial and domestic effluent contamination, with this being particularly prevalentalong the Buffalo and Nahoon River Catchments. Apart from the negative environmentimpacts, this can result in increased water treatment costs related to eutrophication.The groundwater potential of the area is generally poor, with low yielding and poor waterquality boreholes, particularly along the coastal regions (primary area of rural backlog).The treatment and conveyance capacity of existing bulk infrastructure in certain areasrequires upgrading in short-term (East London and Mdantsane being the most noticeable)and further upgrading will be required throughout the City in the medium term. Thecondition of certain components of the bulk supply infrastructure system is also such thatit will require refurbishment in the short-term.The condition of the reticulation infrastructure, particularly in the urban core, ischaracterised by frequent pipe breaks and high level of unaccounted for water(Mdantsane is again a focus area).The condition of the reticulation infrastructure, particularly in the urban core, ischaracterised by frequent pipe breaks and high level of unaccounted for water(Mdantsane is again a focus area).Therefore, from a water resource, bulk and distribution infrastructure perspective, theability of the City to accommodate significant Growth (domestic and/or industrial) in theshort-term, is limited and focused to certain areas close to existing services.With regard to sanitation, access to waterborne sewerage, with either off or on sitedisposal, is limited to the formal settlements in the urban centres (i.e. former TLC areas)and to some of the larger peri-urban settlements (e.g. Dimbaza, Zwelitsha and Ilitha). Thecondition of the sewerage infrastructure throughout the City is generally one ofinadequate capacity, old and poor state of repair, resulting I frequent discharges into theriver systems.The rural communities either have access to a basic sanitation service ( limited coverage),a sub-basic service or no service at all.With regard to ownership, it must also be noted that ownership of the water servicesinfrastructure within the City is currently divided between the Amathole DistrictMunicipality, but will change once the division for powers and functions have beenfinalized and implemented. It can also be noted that the Amatola Water Board is currentlyresponsible for the operation and maintenance of certain DWAF owned water supplyservices.3.8.3 Proposed ProgrammesSeveral programmes have been identified to address the backlogs and to maintain andupgrade the existing infrastructure, in order for the vision of Buffalo City to be realised.These programmes include the following: A Prioritised Basic Services Backlogs Programme, focused at providing access to a basic levelof service to those areas, which currently do not have access to the prescribed minimumlevel of service. This programme will therefore target the rural and recognized urbaninformal settlements;A Maintenance, Refurbishment and Upgrading Programme focusing primarily at restoringefficient economic operation and capacity of existing bulk and reticulation infrastructure;