Bloem Water supplies potable water to Water Services Authorities in line with the South African National Standards (SANS) 241:2015 which outlines the acceptable drinking water quality standards. The Entity complies with quality standards and assurance is provided both internally and externally relating to microbiological, physical, aesthetic and chemical determinants at the point of delivery.
Bloem Water ensures transparency on water quality standards through its partnership with the Institute of Groundwater Studies of the University of the Free State, which regularly tests water for quality assurance.
Water Treatment Works
Treated Volume (m3)
Percent Compliance with SANS 241:2015
Microbiology Operational Chemical
Rustfontein 18 236 780 99.9 % 96.9 % 99.9 %
Groothoek Not Operational Not Operational Not Operational Not Operational
Welbedacht 46 942 590 99.2 % 95.7 % 99.9 %
Bethulie 537 351 99.9 % 97.8 % 99.9 %
Gariep 351 428 99.9 % 97.8 % 99.9 %
Philippolis 172 389 99.9 % 97.8 % 99.9 %
Jagersfontein 310 793 99.9 % 96.1% 99.9 %
The Raw Water quality differs per catchment area. The table below gives a list of WTW and the quality of Raw Water in accordance with the latest testing results. The following challenges of raw water quality in the Organisation are monitored and managed timeously:
System Catchment Impoundment Raw Water Quality Description of Water Quality challenges
Welbedacht Caledon River Welbedacht Dam Average turbidity: 1000 NTU
May – Sep’17: water appeared yellowish-brown in colour and high algae content
Oct - Mar’18: high levels silt in the water
Knellpoort Dam No sampling on the dam
The water appeared greenish, high algae content.
Bethulie Orange River N/A Good
In general, the quality remained good, during the raining season the NTU rises.
Gariep Orange River Gariep Dam Average Turbidity: 50 NTU
The water appeared slightly green
Philippolis Orange River N/A Good
In general, the quality is good, during the raining season the NTU rises.
Jagersfontein Riet Rivier Kalkfontein Dam Average Turbidity: 22 NTU
The water appeared light greenish in colour and at times milky with very low turbidity.
Rustfontein Modder River Rustfontein Dam Average Turbidity 88 NTU
No water quality challenges.
Groothoek Kgabanyane River Groothoek Not Operational
The plant was not operational during the financial year.
During the year under review the Entity has met the set target of 13% as per the Shareholder Compact. Water losses were well-managed in all treatment Works to reduce further losses. Non-revenue water is recorded in the water model to monitor and calculate the losses monthly. In the total system input of 88 257 255 million m³ for the 2017/18 financial year, water losses amounted to 10.01% of which 2.03% were apparent losses and 7.98% were real losses. An increase of 1.57 % in water losses was observed compared to the previous year, this is due to progressively ageing infrastructure. However, the actual water losses were still below the shareholder set target of 13%.
System Input Authorized Consumption Billed Revenue Water
Water Losses Apparent Losses
88,257,255 79,420,555 (89.99%) 77,928,771 (88.30%) 77,928,771 (88.30%)
Unbilled Non-Revenue Water
1,491,784 (1.69%) 10,328,484 (11.70%)
8,836,700 (10.01%)
1,790,374 (2.03%)
Real Losses
7,046,325 (7.98%)
The Organisation prides itself with its preventative maintenance strategy, through its annual scheduled Winter-Maintenance Programme that is fully budgeted for. The maintenance programme is carried out in consultation with its stakeholders, including the Municipalities and Communities. Risk management is observed, and risks are effectively mitigated in the operational assets of the organisation.
Amongst the major risks identified are the ageing infrastructure, insufficient Capex funding and high energy costs. The ageing infrastructure challenge continues to hamper the future water demand targets as stated in the Greater Bloemfontein Reconciliation Strategy.
In this regard the Organisation has adopted a risk-based maintenance management approach and has initiated a programme on asset condition monitoring and assessment of Infrastructure.
Bloem Water Pipeline Reaction Team was formed in recent years to perform in-house maintenance and manufacturing of pipe components for purposes of maintaining the ageing infrastructure. It also responds to the main pipeline (PCP) maintenance challenges within an acceptable turnaround time and presents new innovative ways and shortening the time worked on site. This has ensured uninterrupted water supply to Municipalities.
Bloem Water plants are equipped with automation systems across all its regions. This enables the smooth operations, proactive warning, time saving on travelling and energy efficiency costs. The systems used in all WTW are Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), Telemetry Systems, Field instruments and Supervisory Controller and Data Acquisition (SCADA) units. These systems are continuously being updated.
*Click here to download Water Quality Report 2019/2020
WATER QUALITY
Water Quality Compliance SANS 241:2015
LABORATORY SERVICES
RAW WATER
Raw Water Quality per Catchment
Caledon River raw water quality
WATER LOSSES
Water Losses in m3 for the period: 2016/07/01 to 2017/06/30
Maintenance of Infrastructure
Pipeline Reaction Team/Workshop
Manufactured Components
System Automation
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