Local Government Environmental Affairs and Development Planning MEC Anton Bredell and officials from the national Department of Water and Sanitation, have okayed the start of the Blossoms Water Supply Pipeline in an attempt to relieve pressure on the drought-struck town of Oudtshoorn in the Karoo.

The project, which will see 22km of pipeline and pumping infrastructure installed to connect existing boreholes in the Blossoms area to the town’s water network, is set to cost R91,2-million.

“We want to ensure the town has another supply of water besides the existing Raubenheimer Dam. The Blossoms project basically amounts to putting in a 22km pipeline and pumping infrastructure from existing boreholes that have been drilled in the Blossoms area, to the town’s existing water network,” said Bredell.

“This project will also bring much-needed water security to Calitzdorp and Dysselsdorp. We hope to get this project rolling as soon as possible,” he added.