Bloemfontein: Water and Sanitation Minister, Pemmy Majodina, has commended the completion of the Welbedacht Pipeline Phase 1 project, which will augment water supply and enhance reliable water provision in Mangaung and surrounding areas. Majodina handed over the project to Vaal Central Water in Bloemfontein on Friday, 27 June 2025.
According to South African Government News Agency, the Minister was accompanied by Deputy Minister of Police Cassel Mathale, Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae, Free State MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and Human Settlements Saki Mokoena, and the Executive Mayor of Mangaung Metro Municipality Gregory Nthatisi. The pipeline project was funded by the Department of Water and Sanitation through the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant, amounting to R595,744,836.70. The endeavor involved replacing aging concrete water pipes with steel ones between Welbedacht and Bloemfontein.
The previous infrastructure had led to disruptions in water supply to Mangaung Metro due to frequent bursts and leaks. The project, initiated by the Department of Water and Sanitation in partnership with Vaal Central Water and Mangaung Metro, involved the reconstruction of a 33.7 km pipeline with a 1000 mm diameter bypass stretching from Brandkop Reservoir to the R702, about 20 kilometers from Dewetsdorp.
The project began in 2017 but faced delays due to challenges including community disruptions, landowners denying access, and equipment vandalism. The pipeline was fully tested in February 2024 after its completion and is expected to provide potable water to approximately 81,236 households. Majodina urged Mangaung Metropolitan to maintain and operate the infrastructure to ensure future water security.
Majodina also announced the project's second phase, focusing on constructing a 105 km, 1200 mm diameter bypass pipeline from Lieuwkop Chamber to the Welbedacht Water Treatment Works (WTW). 'This is a very huge project that will bring change in the lives of the people of Mangaung as far as water supply is concerned. The municipality should, therefore, ensure that operations and maintenance of the project is done to ensure water security. Reticulation of water to communities should also be prioritized. We are looking forward to completing the entire project, including the Gariep Dam project which entails pipeline construction from Gariep Dam to Bloemfontein,' the Minister said.
Nthatisi praised the department's ongoing support in enhancing water supply services in the municipality and urged communities to use water wisely and protect water and sanitation infrastructures. 'We would like to convey our sincerest gratitude to the Minister and the Department of Water and Sanitation for the gift of this magnitude that will serve the people of Mangaung. This project will literally ease some of the burden we are carrying as the municipality. I would also like to reiterate the clarion call you have made to our community to take care of this infrastructure and protect it against vandalism. We, as the municipality, wish to state that we are giving the challenges of water supply the necessary attention,' Nthatisi said.
