Astral Foods set to spend R125m on water pipeline to Standerton poultry processing plant - EWN

Astral Foods is set to spend R125 million on a dedicated water pipeline to its poultry processing plant in Standerton.

The investment comes just weeks before South Africans head to the polls, with service delivery and municipal accountability expected to be key issues in the 2026 local government elections.

Astral said the investment follows Lekwa Municipality's inability to provide all the water required by its Goldi Poultry operation.

For years, Astral Foods has warned about water supply problems in Standerton.

Now, the poultry producer is spending R125 million on its own solution.

Astral plans to build a dedicated pipeline from the Vaal River to its Goldi Poultry processing plant.

The company has already been trucking water from the river, about six kilometres away, to keep the plant operating.

Astral CEO Gary Arnold said the company can no longer rely entirely on the municipality for a reliable water supply.

“We've now had to make alternative plans and it's a bit of a grudge purchase. But if we don't do that, we won't be able to invest our future and our business in the town. We're the largest employer in Standerton and have a responsibility to the community and our employees.”