Repair work on W Cape water scheme canal completed

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"The repairs were as a result of the canal having been damaged in the tunnel section recently. The repair work was reported to be completed on Thursday, 20 January 2015," the Department of Water and Sanitation said.

The department said the damage that occurred compromised the flow of water generally but impacted negatively mainly on the farmers downstream who depend on this water.

The LORGWS Canal, which is operated and maintained by the Lower Olifants River Water Association (LORWA), was also responsible for the repairs.

"Whilst the repair work was underway, the farmers downstream continued to irrigate as they were serviced by means of pumps that bypassed the canal to deliver water downstream," the department said.

The farmers requested funding for a stand-by pump that could be used when the pumps in use failed.

The provincial department availed the funds and the standby pump was purchased.

"In line with the operations and maintenance agreement ... between the Department of Water and Sanitation and the water association, what is now outstanding is the final report on the work done and the final tallied figures on budget spent.

"This report will determine how the responsibility towards the funding of this work will be shared between the Department of Water and Sanitation and the water association," the department said.