Metro’s drive to fix water leaks creates jobs
South Africa is a water-scarce country and the preservation of water is important for local authorities such as the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality.
The fight against poverty, underdevelopment and joblessness is also critical for Ekurhuleni.
In this regard, the municipality launched a programme in Tsakane, on Monday, to repair water leaks, to curb water wastage in several priority areas.
The project is set to create a total of nearly 400 jobs.
The jobs include plumbing, general work, community liaison officers, community facilitator supervisors, community facilitators and quality controllers.
According to member of the mayoral committee on Water and Energy, Clr Aubrey Nxumalo, the programme is two-pronged, as it seeks to address matters of loss of water, but also to put bread on the table of the unemployed people in Ekurhuleni.
“Of great importance is that the project is community-based and labour-intensive, in line with the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) principles, which means locals will receive employment opportunities,” he said.
This job-intensive programme came as a result of the Water Demand Management Analysis, which indicated that about 43 000 residential areas in Tsakane, Langaville and Geluksdal have high volumes of water wastage.
The municipality‘s Water Conservation Leak Repair Project is currently underway in these areas and the project is expected to run until January 2016.
The repair work involves conducting leak-free tests on each property, and fixing or replacing leaking plumbing items such as toilet cisterns and associated pipe work.
“This includes refurbishment of underground pipes and yard connections, fixing sink taps, baths, showers, outdoor taps, condition rating of underground pipes, and installation of meters on properties,” said Nxumalo.
About 27 schools in Tsakane, Langaville and Geluksdal will also have their leaks repaired.
Residents must be at ease, as the workers will be clearly identifiable by their EPWP orange working suits and some will be wearing reflecting vests bearing the Ekurhuleni logo.
The leak repair project is happening in partnership with Water Affairs, Public Works and Rand Water.
