This, as the Department of Water and Sanitation is expected to launch water projects in these provinces on Wednesday and Thursday. 

According to the Department, the Noupoort Bulk Water Supply Scheme will this week be handed over to the community of Colesberg in the Northern Cape in efforts to help with the water crisis faced by this community and those in neighbouring towns. 

The Deputy Minister of the Department, Pamela Tshwete, will on Thursday proceed to launch the Wolmaransstad Waste Water Treatment Works in the Maquassi Hills Local Municipality in the North West. 

This week’s developments will come just weeks after the department has announced its plans to ensure that all wastewater treatment infrastructure is resuscitated to an operational state and that pollution in the much-publicised Vaal River is stopped.

It has been reported that the pollution of the Vaal River should be used as a case study to prevent recurrence in other parts of the country after the pollution of this river has reached crisis levels. 

Many have said the breakdown of the sanitation system at the ailing Emfuleni Local Municipality, which resulted in raw sewage spilling into the Vaal River from several points, should be a learning curve for all municipalities, for Cogta, for the Water and Sanitation Department and the country at large.

The Water and Sanitation Department has meanwhile stated that it has set aside R241 million for the resuscitation of all waste treatment infrastructure in the Vaal Triangle and remains committed to assisting all drought-hit provinces.

OFM News