Rand Water Zwartkopjes

A bit of Rand Water History...
After the peace agreement between the British Government and the Boer Republics on 31 May 1902, the British, who gained control of Johannesburg realised that it was imperative to investigate the water supply and sanitation services.
On 8 May 1903 The Rand Water Board was officially established by the Rand Water Board Incorporation Ordinance No. 32 of May 1903 to supply water to the entire area.
The Rand Water Board was to include members of the Johannesburg Town Council, The Chamber of Mines, and other existing local authorities in the Witwatersrand.

It was only in 1905 that Rand Water commenced with full operations.
By 1906 the annual daily consumption of water supplied by Rand Water was about 11 Ml/d and it has been growing ever since.

Development schemes
Fast forward to 1913…
Water as a scarce resource in the Witwatersrand, as well as a need to supply a growing population, prompted the Water Board to impose some water restrictions as well as look for other sources of water. Major schemes were developed to respond to the demand.
The following were some of the major development schemes to date:
The Vaal River scheme, which included the Barrage – 1914 – 1924 – yielded 91 Ml/d
Vereeniging Pumping Station – 1924
Zwartkopjes Pumping Station and Vaal Dam – 1938 – yielded 354 Ml/d
Zuikerbosch Pumping Station – 1949
Lesotho Highlands Water Project – 1998

Compiled by Kenn Slater :-)