Donkerhoek Water Supply project brings clean water to Mkhondo farm residents
A multi-million rand mining social and labour initiative aims to roll out water infrastructure across eight local farms in Mpumalanga.
Residents of Witbank Farm in the Mkhondo Local Municipality now have improved access to clean water following the handover of the Donkerhoek Water Supply project on July 1.
The project was officially handed over by Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation David Mahlobo, Deputy Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Phumzile Magcina, and Mpumalanga MEC for co-operative governance, human settlements and traditional affairs (Coghsta) Speed Mashilo.
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Mahlobo said the public-private partnership has delivered a water supply system to about 1 280 residents. He added that the initiative demonstrates the importance of collaboration among government, the mining sector and the local municipality in improving access to basic services in rural communities.
Project includes 27km of pipeline
The project includes protected natural springs with a combined capacity of about 6 250 litres per hour, the installation of 15 JoJo water-storage tanks with a capacity of 10 000 litres each at three strategic locations, and the construction of 27km of pipeline linking the springs to the tanks and individual households.
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Programme targets 8 local farms
Mashilo said the initiative forms part of the mine’s ongoing Social and Labour Plan, which aims to install water infrastructure across eight farms in the area. The five-year programme focuses on community development projects designed to improve the quality of life for communities within the mine’s area of operation.
