Central SA
About R28 million refurbishment to boost water supply in Douglas─── ZENANDE MPAME 11:00 Thu, 18 Sep 2025
The Douglas community is set to benefit from a revitalised Water Treatment Works, following a R28 million refurbishment aimed at ensuring reliable access to clean water.
The minister of water and sanitation, Pemmy Majodina, will hand over the refurbished plant on Thursday (18/9). It is expected to benefit over 20,000 residents in Douglas on Thursday (18/9).
The scope of the R28 million revitalisation project included the installation of an emergency generator, the renovation of the water purification plant, and general infrastructure repairs.
Majodina will also present the prestigious World Heritage Irrigation Structure (WHIS) Award to the Orange-Vaal Water Users Association. The award recognises the 134-year-old Douglas Weir as an internationally significant irrigation structure, celebrated for its cultural, historical, and technological contribution to water management.
This marks the first time South Africa has received such recognition since the WHIS category was introduced in 2012.
“The treatment works, located near the confluence of the Vaal and Orange Rivers, serve as a raw water abstraction and supply point for purified water to the town of Douglas and surrounding areas,” said department of water and sanitation (DWS) spokesperson Wisane Mavasa.
“The DWS funded the refurbishment of the purification plant within the treatment works after it exceeded its ”30-year design life cycle and could no longer operate efficiently.”
Celebrated as an engineering marvel that pioneered irrigation-led development in the Northern Cape, the Douglas Weir has now been listed in the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage’s Register of World Heritage Structures – marking a significant milestone in South Africa’s water heritage.
The newly refurbished plant will filter up to 4,273 cubic metres of purified water per day, serving a population of just over 22,000 residents across 4,704 households in the Douglas area.
In July, Douglas residents accused the Siyancuma Municipality of failing to address ongoing water challenges. Many reported going without water for weeks and claimed the municipality had ignored their pleas for a reliable supply.
Siyancuma Municipality Mayor Patrick McKlein acknowledged the concerns. “We do acknowledge there are several issues concerning the water, especially in Douglas, but we are in the process of addressing them.”
