R10 billion for provincial water projects

Lepelle Northern Water (LNW) is going to spend nearly R10 billion to address chronic water shortages in the five regions of the province.
The board is the implementing agent for the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS). It was announced last Wednesday that the money would be used to augment poor water schemes in the province. Limpopo has experienced acute water shortages since early 2000, with two presidents, Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma, promising that water shortages would be addressed.
The newly elected Chairperson of LNW, Kennedy Tshivhase, said the agency, in collaboration with the DWS had set aside R6 billion to address water problems in the Mopani region, in particular. This was confirmed by LNW Head of Communications, Simon Mpamonyane during an interview on Monday.
“Money to the tune of R3,7 billion has been set aside to augment water schemes in dry areas of Sekhukhune, using the Flag Boshielo and De Hoop dams as our main sources of water. There will also be a huge pipeline be laid, running from Sekhukhune to Polokwane in an effort to ensure those living around the province’s economic hub have adequate clean drinking water for everyday use,” he said. He said the time frames for the completion of the different projects varies. Upgrades will also be made at the Flag Boshielo Dam and some purification works upgraded so that water can be drawn from the plants.
A further R500 million was set aside for the construction of purification plants in the Nsami and Nandoni dams in Venda and Giyani to help reticulate water to more than 234 villages.
Construction of the N’wamitwa Dam near Tzaneen to assist farming activities in the area was earmarked to begin early next year.
The province is also expected to roll out a water master plan in an endeavour to put the water problems faced by the province to bed.” The water plan spans a period of 30 years, Mpamonyane said.

Story: NELIE ERASMUS
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