New generator engine for pump station

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Bitou's water woes during load-shedding has come to an end after a R1,37m generator engine was procured to replace a broken down engine at the Uplands pump station.

Bitou Mayor Dave Swart says the Keurbooms River is the main water supply source for Plettenberg Bay and that a 600-kVA generator supplies power to the pump station in Uplands during load-shedding.

In mid-December last year, the generator's engine broke down and needed to be replaced. "The impact of this was felt very heavily because it could not pump water during load-shedding," Swart says.

Funding was received from the Western Cape's Emergency Relief Grant, enabling the Bitou Municipality to procure the new engine for the generator.

According to Swart, the new engine is expected to provide power to the pump station for the next 20 years. "Therefore, there will be constant water supply for the coming years, even during load-shedding."

Deputy Mayor Mavis Busakwe, who joined Swart and other officials at the unveiling last week, also expressed her excitement and said that it would be beneficial to all communities of Plettenberg Bay.

Swart and Busakwe were accompanied by Municipal Manager Mbulelo Memani, Director of Engineering Services Victor Felton, and manager of Water Services Edward Oosthuizen.

The new generator is expected to supply power at the Uplands pump station for 20 years.