Hope rises for Gauteng as new water towers near completion

WITH taps running dry and infrastructure under pressure, Gauteng’s water woes have pushed communities to the brink - but hope is rising in Kempton Park and Brixton, where two new water towers are nearly complete and set to ease the relentless strain on supply.

- MASABATA MKWANANZI

Situated on the western edge of Ekurhuleni, the new Kempton Park water tower boasts an impressive 43-metre conical structure capable of storing 2.5 megalitres of water. This will significantly alleviate water shortages in a region often plagued by high demand. Meanwhile, a similar slanted wall structure in Brixton is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, helping to address the pressing needs of a water-stressed area in Johannesburg.

Uni-Span, a trusted name in structural engineering for over 36 years, played a central role in these developments, providing the critical framework that supports essential public assets throughout Africa, including bridges and water reservoirs. The company’s expertise is instrumental in the complex design of temporary works, ensuring the towers are built to withstand extreme conditions while maintaining safety and reliability.

According to the company, both towers required highly complex temporary works design due to their structural demands. This included high load-bearing capacities, circular geometry, vertical climbing systems, and advanced preventative measures to guard against deformations or collapses, even under extreme weather conditions.