DRIEKOPPIES WATER TREATMENT PLANT PROGRESSING WELL
Persistent water crisis in Nkomazi, Mpumalanga will soon be a thing of the past. The almost complete Driekoppies Water Treatment Plant project is set to bring relief to the municipality soon. In the recent past, delays in completing water projects, infrastructure vandalism and theft of equipment caught government’s attention, thus intervening through the upgrade of the multi-million infrastructure project.
This is part of ongoing efforts to ensure acceleration of water and sanitation projects, especially in areas that are experiencing challenges due to inadequate infrastructure.Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister, Mr David Mahlobo alongside with Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs MEC, Mr Speed Mashilo, Ehlanzeni District Executive Mayor, Cllr. Terra Shabangu and Nkomazi Local Municipality Executive Mayor, Cllr.
Phindile Magagula conducted an oversight visit to the Driekoppies Regional Bulk Water Scheme to monitor the recent upgrades and ensure operational improvements.The visit comes at a critical time amid ongoing water shortages in the locality. Community members expounded that they were happy when the project was launched, but today their water taps are still dry. Ms Thandi Mahlalela (52), a mother of four stated that there are water tankers, but most people in the area are old and cannot fetch water from the tankers. “Sometimes water from the tankers are not enough for everyone and we cannot live without water. We hope the visit of government leaders will bring better changes and fast-track the completion of the project” charged Mahlalela.
This essential project, funded by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is designed to deliver clean and reliable water to approximately 14 villages around Driekoppies, serving a population of nearly 190 000 people. Deputy Minister Mahlobo, acknowledged that the project had some challenges which delayed its planned completion. “As government, we are committed to oversee, monitor this project and ensuring that safe drinking water is accessible to all residents”, assured Deputy Minister Mahlobo. He alluded that DWS has established a task team dedicated to monitor the project and their expected to give a progress report each month.Meanwhile CoGHSTA MEC, Mr Speed Mashilo commended the stance of collaborative work to ensure the effective implementation of bulk water and sanitation projects.
“The upgrading of the water treatment scheme will improve the availability and supply of drinking water to various nearby villages. We promise to ensure the provision of equitable and excellent quality water supply as well as dignified sanitation for all” emphasised MEC Mashilo. He made a call to the community members to report those who commit crime of vandalising infrastructure to the police.
