Emergency interventions to support water security in Tswaing
The Department of Water and Sanitation is providing urgent relief to the Tswaing local municipal area, as its townships has been plagued by water insecurity, water scarcity and poor waste water treatment.
The department undertook an assessment of the water and sanitation infrastructure within the Tswaing local municipality and it was found that water shortages occurred largely due to boreholes not working. Vandalism and theft of boreholes and pump stations are common cause; while other areas simply do not adequate water and sanitation infrastructure that is required to meet the growing demands of the population of the municipal area.
It should be noted that Tswaing, which is home to towns like Atamelang, Ottosdal, Letsopa, Sannieshof and Delareyville; is largely driven by agriculture and small scale mining. The townships date back to as far as 1914 and the infrastructure has not improved, relative to the growth in the municipal wards.
During the briefing the Regional Head, Dr Tseliso Ntili indicated that the department is determined to carry out the interventions with speed and ensure residents have
adequate water services daily.
The department will equip and rehabilitate selected boreholes, as well as drill additional boreholes in order to augment water supply. An additional 2km pipeline will be constructed and this will deliver water to 2421 households. The pump station will also be refurbished and this will see the replacement of the stolen electrical cables, repairs to the mechanical screens and the sludge valves as well as the refurbishment of the pumps. Security will also be upgraded in a bid to address the continued vandalism and theft. Sedibeng Water was appointed as the implementing agent that will ensure the works.
In order to address the immediate water supply challenges, the department has assigned 20 water tankers that will support water supply to residents from today
onwards.
The Executive Mayor of Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, Cllr Tshepo Makolomakwa thanked Minister Nomvula Mokonyane for the immediate intervention.
He further requested his Member of Mayoral Committee (MMC) for infrastructure to work with all the affected stakeholders, including Sedibeng Water, to establish an operation centre that would co-ordinate government efforts to tackle the water challenges in the area.
For more information contact:
Dr Tseliso Ntili
Cell: 082 803 3204
