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Western Cape Premier, Alan Winde, donned a hard hat on Wednesday for an inspection of the site where a new water treatment works extension project is taking shape in George.
The municipality had received grant funding from the National Treasury of R1.107 billion for infrastructure projects.
"This entire project demonstrates how we in the Western Cape are looking to the future, preparing for the increased demand on essential services such as water, sanitation, and electricity," Winde said in a statement on Wednesday.
"We have to keep up with the needs of our residents, especially in regions such as George, which is seeing a marked increase in people relocating to the area."
Premier Winde said; "at the same time, communities must take ownership and be proud of these kinds of infrastructure development projects so as to preserve them for future generations."
The installation of two 1100 kVA generators at the Garden Route dam raw water pump station will also enable raw water to be pumped uninterrupted to the water treatment works for processing during blackouts.
The Western Cape government said apart from the 20 mega litre per day treatment plant extension to the new water treatment works the project consists of 11 other components, that include upgrading of the Garden Route dam outlet and supply, and the construction of a new 30 megalitre raw water storage balancing dam.
Portfolio Councillor for Civil Engineering Services, Jacqulique Von Brandis, said, "This multi-year project will see R263 million in civil engineering construction works and approximately R220 million spent on mechanical and electrical works."
