Name of the Project
Olifants River Water Resources Development Project – Phase 2 (ORWRDP-2).

Location
Limpopo, South Africa.

Project Owner/s
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), represented by the Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA) for Phases 2B to 2G.

Project Description
The ORWRDP forms part of the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission's strategic infrastructure projects, which are aimed at fast-tracking development and growth across South Africa, creating jobs and aiding basic service delivery.

The ORWRDP comprises two phases and several subphases:

Phase 1 involved the raising of the Flag Boshielo dam by 5 m, which has been completed.

Phase 2 will be completed in phases A to I and involves the development of additional water resource infrastructure in the middle part of the Olifants river water management area.

Phase 2A entailed the construction of the De Hoop dam, which will be a bulk storage facility to augment the current water supply around the Steelpoort and Olifants rivers, both in Limpopo. Water will primarily be supplied to the increasing mining activities around the Steelpoort area.

The De Hoop dam, which will be the thirteenth-largest in the country, will have a 347-million-cubic-metre reservoir capacity.

This phase also included the construction of a roller-compacted concrete (RCC) gravity dam on the Steelpoort river, en route from Stoffberg to Steelpoort, near the existing provincial road (the R555), of which a 20 km portion has been realigned. The dam wall was built downstream from the confluence of the Steelpoort and Klip rivers, the latter being a tributary joining from the eastern side.
Phases 2B and 2G will entail the construction of the Flag Boshielo to Mokopane pipeline, and a second pipeline between Flag Boshielo and Mokopane.

Phase 2C involved the construction of bulk distribution works from Flag Boshielo to Mokopane, De Hoop to Steelpoort, Steelpoort to Mooihoek, Mooihoek to Olifantspoort and Nebo Plateau to Roossenekal.

Phase 2D involves the construction of a second pipeline between Steelpoort weir and Mooihoek.

Phase 2E entails the construction of a pipeline parallel to the Lebalelo scheme, and from the Lebalelo Scheme to Olifantspoort.

Phase 2F involves the construction of a second pipeline parallel to Lebalelo scheme, and from the Lebalelo Scheme to Olifantspoort.

The bulk distribution system will enable the Flag Boshielo and De Hoop dams to function as a single system, ensuring a higher water-supply assurance level. The additional yield is expected to be about 80-million cubic metres a year.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
Phase 2A is estimated at R3.5-billion, Phase 2B and 2G at R6.55-billion, Phase 2C at R2.54-billion, Phase 2D at R2.19-billion, Phase 2E at R924-million and Phase F at R2.56-billion.

Planned Start/End Date
Not stated.

Latest Developments
The DWS states in its Annual Performance Plan: 2023/24 to 2025/26 that Phase 2B, 2D, 2E, 2F and 2G are in the feasibility study stage.

Phase 2C and Phase 2A have been closed out.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
For Phase 2A, De Hoop – key contractors:
Main Road Contractor (realignment of the R555 road):  andHillary, Liviero & Eigenbau (HLE) joint venture [JV] (main contractor).

Main Civil Contractor (De Hoop dam):
De Hoop Construction West and subcontractors B&E International and Quanza JV (supply of fine and course aggregate, crusher run and rip-rap); Limpopo RR & Construction (drilling and blasting); Regray Security (site security); SA Rock Drills (drilling and grouting of dam foundations); Drakensburg Technologies (supply of standard formwork); Formscaff (supply of special formwork); Allied Plant and Hire (erection of RCC conveyor system); SA French (erection of tower crane); NSI (commissioning and maintenance of batch plants); Twin Cities (supply of cement); Dura Pozz Bulk (supply of fly ash); BASF (supply of cement additives);  and Steeledale Reinforcing (supply and fixing of reinforcement).

For TCTA, the status of key contracts is:
The Aurecon Ndodana JV was awarded the design and supervision contract in 2009, following an open tender process. Basil Read was awarded the construction contract for Phase 2C and Phase 2H in February 2012.

Contact Details for Project Information
DWS director: media liaison Wisane Mavasa, tel  +27 12 336 8264 or email mavasaw@dws.gov.za.