Question NW478 to the Minister of Water and Sanitation

Reply:

In the 2017/2018 financial year, the Department Water and Sanitation (DWS) allocated R 4,9 million through the Water Services Infrastructure Grant (WSIG) for the implementation of the Rural Water Supply Project in Pomfret.

The scope of works for project included the:

• Equipping of four boreholes (displacement pumps electrical works and new pipework)
• Construction of new four borehole pumphouse concrete bases, construction of new four precast concrete borehole pumphouses,
• Refurbishment and replacement of existing borehole fences, replacement and installation of two new transformers at Grootgat booster pumpstation. All these four electrical boreholes are currently not functional due to mechanical and electrical components stolen and vandalised.

The Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality has reported that, it is currently supplying water in Pomfret through water tankers as an interim measure to supplement water needs for the community of Pomfret. The municipality has already appointed a Professional Service Provider (PSP) to conduct technical assessment to refurbish the Grootgat borehole which will include the replacement of the stolen steel pipeline with the uPVC material. It is envisaged that the assessment will be completed before the end of March 2024 and the refurbishment work will thereafter be expedited to restore the water supply in Pomfret.

In the medium to long term, Pomfret will also benefit from the Regional Bulk Water Scheme Programme to be implemented in the Kagisano Molopo Municipal area (Cluster 7 Pomfret). The scope of this project incorporates:

• Upgrading of the existing water reticulation for Pomfret, Bray and Tosca,
• Testing of existing boreholes for water yield and quality,
• Groundwater source investigation, siting, water testing,
• Drilling of approximately 6 boreholes within Pomfret, Bray and Tosca to supplement the shortfall of water demand
• Provision of Eskom power supply to boreholes
• Construction of new rising mains and a new booster pump station in Pomfret
• Upgrading the existing Booster pump station in Bray
• Construction of an additional elevated tank for Tosca and a pump station, rising main from the proposed boreholes to the booster pump stations.

This Cluster 7 Bulk Water Scheme is still at the inception stage and it is envisaged that the Implementation Readiness Study (IRS) will be finalised before the end of the financial year 2024/2025 financial year.

With respect to Sanitation, the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati DM allocated R50m for the 2022/23 Financial year under the Rural Sanitation Programme for the Kagisano Molopo LM. The Promfret village was allocated 280 Double Ventilated Improved Pit-latrine (DVIP) Units, constructed between March and June 2023. A further 60 households are to be prioritised in 2024/25 financial year for the Rural Sanitation Programme.

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