Cofimvaba – People living in and around Ncora in the Eastern Cape, who used to have share their water source with animals or travel long distances to get access to clean water, are overjoyed with the new Ncora Water Treatment Works.
Ncora resident and mother of three, Siyabulela Nqando, told SAnews that life had been difficult when it comes to water.
“It was a struggle to have clean water in the house. We used to wake up very early in the morning to go and get clean water before the animals spoil it or make the water dirty,” she said.
“I thank our government for bringing clean water to our homes,” said Nqando.
President Jacob Zuma officially launched the Ncora Water Treatment Works on Friday calling it an important milestone for the people of the area.
The R64 million project is estimated to benefit 18 429 families from 208 villages in the four surrounding municipalities. It has created 188 jobs, with local people, the youth and women being major beneficiaries.
Addressing community members after officially unveiling the water treatment works, the President said the launch of the Ncora Bulk Water Project is a step forward in ensuring government improves people’s quality of life.
“Water is life. People need access to water in every corner of the country. We take this seriously as government.
“That is why we have established a department dedicated to providing water and sanitation to the people. We realised that this function needs to be undertaken by a standalone department,” he said.
Government has been extending water access to various communities throughout the country. Every week the Department of Water and Sanitation launches new projects, the President said.
“We have been opening water infrastructure projects all over the country on a continuous basis, as we improve access to this basic necessity,” he said.
President Zuma explained that the advent of the Ncora Bulk Water Project will ensure that the targeted categories of consumers to be supplied with potable water are domestic water users throughout the Intsika Yethu Local Municipality and commercial and institutional users within the towns of Cala and Indwe.
He called on communities throughout the country to continue to use water sparingly.
“We must all save water, as households, industries, the agricultural sector and every other sector,” he said.
Ahead of the launch, Water and Sanitation Minister Nomvula Mokonyane and the Eastern Cape Premier Phumulo Masualle toured the plant and tasted water to show the locals that the water is drinkable.
Minister Mokonyane said people should not share water with animals. – SAnews.gov.za
