Pretoria - North West Premier Thandi Modise and Water and Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa are expected to sign a MoU and Project Implementation Plan to ease water shortages in all provincial municipalities.
The plan, which is being finalised ahead of the signing of the agreement in the next few days, was adopted by provincial stakeholders - including the provincial government, municipalities and water boards - during a meeting held on Tuesday at the Rustenburg Civic Centre, and attended by Molewa and Modise.
Spokesperson for the North West Premier, Lesiba Kgwele, said in terms of the plan, which will be rolled out in the current financial year, R1.8 billion will be spent on bulk infrastructure upgrades and borehole refurbishments.
The upgrades will provide Pella, Mabeskraal, Moruleng, Makweleng, Witrandjie, Bapong and Phalane/Tweelaagte,Tlhatlaganyane, Letlhakeng and Maologane villages in the Moses Kotane Local Municipality the capacity to meet the basic demand of 60 litres of water per person per day.
The intervention includes the development of a groundwater scheme in Mankwe and Madikwe, which will cost about R621 million.
“About R34 million has also been budgeted to alleviate water challenges in Brits, Sonop, Majakaneng, Letlhabile, Greater Lonmin Community, Centreville, Jericho, Maboloka, Letlhakaneng, Klipgat ‘C’ and Vaalboschloot village,” Kgwele said.
It is estimated that the replacement of old asbestos cement pipes that are bursting frequently, resulting in high levels of non-revenue water around Rustenburg, would cost about R150 million.
The province-wide intervention will, among others, also cover Koster, Reagile, Swartruggens, Borolelo, Derby, Redirile and Mazista in Kgetleng Rivier Local Municipality; Moretele and Maquassi Local Municipalities and regional bulk infrastructure development in Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality.
It also includes piping of the resource to the water-scarce areas of Ratlou, Zeerust/Dinokana and analysis of quality of water in Kagisano-Molopo.
Meanwhile, low lying areas covering about 80% of Mothotlung, started receiving water through their taps this morning.
This follows a commitment made by Minister Molewa that water would be restored by Friday. – SAnews.gov.za
