Deputy Minister David Mahlobo has called for the acceleration of water projects in the Waterberg District during a recent multi-stakeholder water and sanitation engagement session held on May 9th, 2023, in Mokopane, Limpopo. This session brought together various representatives, including traditional leaders, provincial leadership of the Department of Water and Sanitation, mayors, municipal managers, and ward councillors from the local municipalities within the Waterberg District.
The primary goal of the session was to discuss the current state of water and sanitation in the province, with a focus on the Waterberg District. The conversation covered various topics, including the progress of ongoing projects, completed projects, and projects yet to commence.
Deputy Minister Mahlobo provided comprehensive updates on the status of water supply in the region, emphasizing the importance of improving the lives of the people through the provision of water to households.
One of the significant projects discussed during the engagement was the Olifants River Water Resource Development Programme (ORWRDP) Olifants Management Model (OMM), a multi-billion public-private partnership project aimed at expediting raw and potable bulk water infrastructure to supply the Sekhukhune and Mokgalakwena Districts.
Another upcoming project mentioned by Deputy Minister Mahlobo was the Moretele North Bulk Water Supply Scheme, which will be funded by the department’s Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG).
During the engagement, Deputy Minister Mahlobo urged municipalities to appoint contractors and service providers with technical capabilities and experience to avoid non-completion of projects due to lack of capacity, manipulation, and exploitation. He stressed the importance of selecting the right partners to ensure the successful completion of water projects and the efficient use of public resources.
Deputy Minister Mahlobo expressed concern over the non-functionality of Water Treatment Works (WTW) in the Waterberg District, with the overall performance of the nine WTWs being only 30.5%. He attributed this poor performance to management problems in the technical areas of the municipalities, as well as inadequate operations and maintenance practices at water infrastructures.
Lastly, Deputy Minister Mahlobo implored municipalities to address the issue of sewage running on streets and polluting water resources. By doing so, the Waterberg District can work towards a cleaner, more sustainable future with improved access to water and sanitation for all its residents.
In conclusion, the multi-stakeholder water and sanitation engagement session provided an opportunity for various representatives to discuss the current state of water and sanitation in the Waterberg District and chart a way forward. With the call for accelerating water projects, improving management and maintenance practices, and addressing sanitation issues, there is a need for a comprehensive and integrated approach to ensure the sustainability of water resources in the region.
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