Douglas Weir Honoured with Global Heritage Award as Water Plant Upgraded

As part of South Africa’s Heritage Month celebrations, Minister of Water and Sanitation Pemmy Majodina is set to hand over the prestigious World Heritage Irrigation Structure (WHIS) Award to the Orange-Vaal Water Users Association in the Siyancuma Local Municipality, ZF Mgcawu District, Northern Cape. The ceremony will also coincide with the official opening of the refurbished Douglas Water Treatment Works (WTW), a project worth R28 million that promises improved water security for thousands of local residents.

Historic Recognition for Douglas Weir

The WHIS Award, conferred annually by the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID), recognises irrigation structures of cultural, technological, and historical importance. Last year, during ICID’s 9th Asian Regional Conference in Sydney, Australia, the 134-year-old Douglas Weir—situated at the confluence of the Vaal and Orange rivers—was officially honoured.

The nomination was submitted by the South African National Committee on Irrigation and Drainage (SANCID) and was accepted by ICID Vice-President and SANCID Chairperson, Professor Sylvester Mpandeli. With this recognition, the Douglas Weir has now been added to the ICID Register of World Heritage Irrigation Structures.

“This is the first time that a South African irrigation structure has received the award since the inception of the WHIS category in 2012. Today, the award will be formally presented to the Orange-Vaal Water Users Association, which manages this vital infrastructure,” the Department of Water and Sanitation noted.

Opening of the Refurbished Douglas Water Treatment Works

Alongside the heritage recognition, Minister Majodina will also preside over the opening of the upgraded Douglas Water Treatment Works. This facility serves as a crucial raw water abstraction and purification point for the Douglas community and surrounding areas.

The R28 million refurbishment project included the rehabilitation of the ageing infrastructure, which had exceeded its 30-year design lifespan. Enhancements include general upgrades, the installation of a 200KVA emergency generator, and expanded treatment capacity.

The newly refurbished plant will now filter up to 4,273 cubic metres of purified water daily, directly benefitting over 22,000 residents across 4,704 households in the Douglas area.

Community Engagement and Oversight

After the official ceremonies, Minister Majodina will meet with local residents to discuss service delivery and water security matters. She will also conduct an oversight visit to the historic Douglas Weir, underscoring the government’s commitment to safeguarding both heritage infrastructure and community needs.

The Minister will be joined by Dr. Rethabile Melamu, Chairperson of the Water Research Commission, and Peter Joseph, CEO of the Orange-Vaal Water Users Association. Their presence highlights the collaboration between government, researchers, and local water management authorities in preserving heritage while meeting contemporary water demands.

A Blend of Heritage and Modern Service Delivery

The recognition of the Douglas Weir as a World Heritage Irrigation Structure not only highlights its historical significance but also reinforces South Africa’s role in the global conversation on water management and heritage preservation. Coupled with the refurbishment of the Douglas WTW, the initiatives demonstrate how heritage conservation can go hand-in-hand with modern service delivery improvements.

Together, these milestones celebrate South Africa’s engineering history while ensuring the sustainability of water resources for present and future generations.