Question NW3276 to the Minister of Water and Sanitation
17 November 2023 - NW3276
Mohlala, Ms MR to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
Whether his department is overseeing the interim measures to alleviate the current water shortages being experienced by communities in the (a) Capricorn District Municipality, (b) Sekhukhune District Municipality and (c) Polokwane Local Municipality whilst refurbishments are underway; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what steps has he taken in this regard?
Reply:
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is overseeing interventions to alleviate current water shortages in Sekhukhune District Municipality, Capricorn District Municipality and Polokwane Local Municipality. The interim measures implemented in the areas include emergency relief measures as follows:
- 20 water tankers which were provided to Sekhukhune District Municipality. 1690 water tanks have been installed in Sekhukhune as a short-term measure to ensure communities are able access water on a daily basis.
- The Polokwane LM delivers water through water tankers to communities as per notifications received about areas/ households without water.
- DWS is overseeing groundwater development projects and there are ongoing construction projects to install elevated storage tanks.
The DWS allocated funding through its Water Services Infrastructure Grant (WSIG) for implementation of water services reticulation projects in the Sekhukhune, Capricorn and Polokwane Municipalities. The funding was allocated for the 2023/24 financial year for projects to be implemented by the Municipalities to improve access to water. Funding allocated to each municipality is indicated below:
- Sekhukhune DM - R49 million
- Capricorn DM - R 158 million
- Polokwane LM - R 72,7 million
Villages to benefit from the reticulation projects are indicated in the table below:
|
Municipality |
Villages benefiting |
|
Sekhukhune DM |
Maebe, Tukakgomo, Nkosini, Moutse, Phokwane, Mabulela, Rutseng and Ga-Marishane |
|
Capricorn DM |
Ga-Malokela, Indermark, Senwabarwana, Driekoppies, Mogwadi, Maponto, Bolatjane, Ramatjowe, Dipateng, Sekhwama and Maleka |
|
Polokwane LM |
Mashamaite, Makgodu, Mars, Moletijie, Bakone Ga-Ntlolane, Ga-Phofu, Badimong, Segwasi and surrounding areas |
The municipalities are required to establish project steering committees and project management teams to ensure effective monitoring of project progress. By overseeing the implementation of these projects and enabling water carting by the Water Services Authorities to communities, the Department supports the municipalities to ensure that water is supplied to the various communities in the three Municipalities until bulk infrastructure projects are completed.
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