Minister Lindiwe Sisulu leads intervention efforts to water challenges in QwaQwa

Minister Sisulu leads efforts to intervene in the challenges of water availability in QwaQwa

The Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation, Lindiwe Sisulu, accompanied by Deputy Minister David Mahlobo, the Provincial Government led by Premier Sisi Ntombela, local Municipality political leadership as well as other relevant stakeholders visited the challenged area of QwaQwa in Free State.

There was full agreement that it has taken long for the issues related to water   challenges to be addressed in this area.

After long deliberations Minister Sisulu made this pronouncement with regard to water challenges affecting this area:

1. Sedibeng Water will be the implementing agent with regard to all issues related to water challenges.
2. An amount of R220 million will be ring-fenced to address the immediate challenge in addition to the R280 million allocated to Sedibeng Water. This supports the proclamation to be made by the Premier with regard to drought in the area.
3. 5000 Jojo Tanks will be provided as an immediate relief within 7 days to address issues of Water Harvesting. This is aimed at ensuring that all households have Jojo Tanks.
4. All boreholes will be equipped with immediate effect to provide relief to the communities.
5. New technology will be explored to look at various aspects that will assist in addressing water challenges in the Province.
6. Sedibeng Water will also look for residents who have the necessary skills and or technology to come forward as part of the intervention.
7. A hotline will be established to deal with all immediate challenges related to problems of water in the area.
8. A Steering Committee will be established to ensure that this matter is monitored and the plan is executed. The National Rapid Response Task Team will also form part of this process and will monitor it.
9. Sedibeng Water will also establish a War Room to assess the progress made. Community members will be identified to be part of the War Room.

Minister emphasized that Water Tankering will no longer be done by the municipality as resolved by MinMEC, Sedibeng Water will ensure that all those trucks are assessed and they are bought from the owners so that the function is taken over from them.

For the long term there is a consideration of a pipeline which will cost in the region of R2.1 billion linking the Municipality with Sterkfontein Dam. Sedibeng Water will do a feasibility study to ensure the realization of this plan.

Minister made a commitment that in six weeks’ time the will come back to assess progress made with regard to immediate interventions and will address the community.

Minister also appealed to all councilors are in the meantime urged to convene community meetings to communicate the outcomes of this intervention.

Enquiries:
Sputnik Ratau
Cell: 082 874 2942