The Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality in Vryburg, North West, has expressed confidence that it is on track to eliminate private water tankering within its jurisdiction through targeted bulk infrastructure upgrades and the procurement of additional water trucks for all its local municipalities.
As a Water Services Authority (WSA), the Municipality has purchased eight water trucks, with four local municipalities expected to receive at least two each.
Speaking during a special broadcast of the YOU FM News Hour Panel Discussion, Clifton Groep (Naledi), Seitebaleng Chelechele (Mamusa) and Mosimanegape Diphikwe (Kagisano Molopo) respectively commended the decisive intervention by the District Municipality.
“This is a strategic resource which we believe will significantly alleviate immediate water supply challenges faced by vulnerable communities within the district and will help do away with reliance on private tankering as well,” said Groep.
Furthermore, Groep added that his municipality has already received two water trucks from the District Municipality and will soon receive two more.
“The district has committed to purchasing an additional two for Naledi, which will bring the total to four water trucks.
“Water provision has improved tremendously in our municipality, and with the addition of these two trucks, we will surely be able to provide reliable running water to our communities,” explained Groep.
He said that the District Municipality has already appointed a contractor to connect Extensions 1 and 28 to the bulk water pipeline, ensuring that communities that have been struggling with water shortages can be supplied.
“This will also benefit our communities in informal settlements where infrastructure has already been rolled out.
“So, soon there will be little to no need for private water tankering, and for that we are immensely grateful to the Executive Mayor and his team for this initiative,” added Groep.
Meanwhile, several water-related projects that were recently completed have been handed over to communities in various municipalities, including the Ipelegeng Bulk Water Project, Schweizer-Reneke Water Treatment Plant, Migdol Water Supply Project, refurbishment of the Schweizer-Reneke Reservoir and the Morokweng Water Supply Project.
The Mamusa Mayor highlighted that a bulk pipeline project, valued at more than R22 million, is underway between Bloemhof and Schweizer-Reneke. The project is expected to help alleviate the water challenges in the municipality.
The project was initially expected to be completed much earlier, but the completion date has since been extended. Chelechele explained that the delay was due to technical issues.
“The delay in the project not functioning or delivering water as promised is due to the need to test the pressure.
“This is to ensure that when the water is released, the pressure will allow it to flow to the various areas of Ipelegeng where it is needed.
“As we speak, the project will be completed before the end of September,” said Chelechele.
Diphikwe, on the other hand, sought to assure residents that the regional Bulk Water Scheme in Morokweng, valued at R426 million, will be completed by 30 September 2027 after its completion date was extended.
“I hope the community is expecting that, and the extension is because the District Municipality has also included it in this new financial year, which has now started.
“The project is still an ongoing process; it is far from being completed as we speak, and it is currently at 60% completion,” explained Diphikwe.
He emphasised that the bulk water project will bring sufficient water closer to communities and, once completed, will benefit approximately 40 villages.
