Water security
The reliable supply of water is essential for the well-being of people and the growth of the economy. To ensure water security now and into the future, the Department of Water and Sanitation is leading the process of investing in major infrastructure projects across the country.
Lesotho Highlands project
After being delayed for several years, full-scale construction works for the Lesotho Highlands Phase Two project will commence this
year. The Lesotho Highlands project is critical for ensuring security of water supply to Gauteng, Free State, Mpumalanga, North West and the Northern Cape.
Construction of dams
Several decades after it was first proposed and nine years after a sod-turning ceremony was held, the first phase of the Umzimvubu Water Project will start in the next financial year. This phase, which involves construction of the Ntabelanga Dam, irrigation infrastructure and the distribution of water to communities, will be financed by government.
The next phase will be the construction of the Lilane Dam, which will include a hydropower station. Major projects to increase the capacity of the Clanwilliam Dam, Hazelmere Dam and the Tzaneen Dam will improve the supply of water to the West Coast, eThekwini and the eastern part of Limpopo.
Water-use licences
Last year, goverment announced a comprehensive turnaround plan to streamline the process for water use licence applications, which is vital to enable greater investment.
Since then, government has cleared the backlog of water-use licences and reduced the turnaround time for applications to 90 days.
Related links
Source: State of the Nation Address Highlights [PDF]
