The Department of Water and Sanitation has handed over 10 water trucks to Amathole District Municipality (ADM), as part of the department’s interventions to mitigate the current drought affecting communities around the district.
This follows the department’s allocation of R30 million from its Water Service Infrastructure Grant (WSIG) budget for drought relief throughout the district.
From the R30 million grant, R15 million was used to buy 10 water trucks, while the other R15 million was used to drill and equip boreholes, as additional mitigation plan to address water shortages in Amathole District Municipality.
Most of the boreholes have been drilled in Mnquma around the Teko Fihla and Teko Kona areas, with only three that have been equipped in the area.
Additional three boreholes were drilled and equipped at Walter Sisulu University (WSU), while an existing borehole at Toleni was also equipped as part of the drought intervention.
Four of the six local municipalities under ADM’s jurisdiction, namely, Mbhashe, Mnquma, Ngqushwa and Raymond Mhlaba, will receive two trucks each, while the Great Kei and Amahlathi will get one truck each.
The carrying capacity of each water truck is 12 000 litres of water. At 25 litres per person, one load will be able to supply 480 people per day.
Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pamela Tshwete, who officially handed over the water trucks to the municipality on Monday, said that the trucks will help the municipality to implement various water supplies that will accelerate the provision of water supply to communities within the municipality’s area of jurisdiction.
Tshwete urged the community to look after the trucks and protect them against vandalism.
“These water tankers will belong to the district municipality, and therefore it will be imperative for the municipality to ensure that they stay in prime condition for optimal use.
“It is of utmost importance for all of us to remember that vandalism of infrastructure is undesirable. It is therefore mandatory upon all of us to ensure the continued protection of these water tanker trucks,” Tshwete said.
Tshwete also appealed to the beneficiaries of the trucks to prolong the lifespan of the trucks, through proper care and maintenance.
“We should all take responsibility and hold one another accountable for improper use of these vehicles.” – SAnews.gov.za
