THE Mopani district municipality has set aside R429 million for water and sanitation infrastructure development for the 2014/15 financial year.
Presenting a total budget of R1,5 billion for the 2014/15 financial year recently, Mopani mayor Joshua Matlou said R167 million had been allocated for water and sanitation infrastructure development projects in the Maruleng area alone.
These projects were the Hoedspruit bulk water supply, Kampersrus water supply, Kampersrus sewage plant, upgrading of water reticulation, Mametja-Sekororo Rawa waterworks and refurbishment of borehole water supply projects.
Matlou said the Mametja-Sekororo Rawa waterworks scheme included the building of a purification plant, reservoirs, the laying of pipelines and reticulation. “Upon completion, it is estimated that this project will bring alleviation to over 40 000 residents in that area,” Matlou said.
He further said R100 million had been budgeted for the completion of water reticulation to villages in the Greater Giyani municipal area and for the Nsami to Nandoni pipeline. He said R70 million would be spent on addressing water challenges faced by the communities in the Tzaneen area particularly around Mawa, N’wamitwa and Maake.
“We set ourselves the target of completing the Jopie to Mawa bulk water supply project in the coming financial year, beginning in July. Also in Greater Tzaneen, we will also continue with the construction of the Lephephane bulk water scheme and the upgrading of water reticulation schemes in various villages,” Matlou said.
The district municipality would further spend R47 million in Ba-Phalaborwa on the Selwane water scheme, and the upgrading of water reticulation in various areas, he said.
The allocation for water projects in the Greater Letaba municipal area was set at R45 million. “We are encouraged by the progress we are making with the Sekgosese ground water scheme. This coming financial year, we will ensure that we deal with water challenges in the Sekgosese area for once and for all,” Matlou said. He added that the rest of the budget would be spent on other infrastructure development, repairs and maintenance, bulk purchases, salaries and general expenses.
