There is not a total lack of water problem in the Free State as implied by the findings of the DA.
The provincial spokesperson of the department of cooperative governance and traditional affairs (COGTA) and human settlements Senne Bogatsu says the latest report by the department of water affairs indicates that the majority of towns do have potable water.
She says a long term, water solution is implemented through the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Program (RBIG). Bogatsu adds that the amount of R225 million has been allocated to municipalities to address water related infrastructure in the 2013/2014 financial year, with some of the projects already running.
“While the report admits to challenges of shortages in some cases, and problems of intermittent running out of water in others, the overall picture is that there isn’t a total lack of water. Problems experienced do range from natural water shortage, loss through aged infrastructure, high demand and storage limitations,” she says. Senne adds that according to the water affairs’ report, all the challenges have been earlier identified and are currently being addressed with immediate or short term solution being to ensure that the communities have access to water daily. “Long term permanent solutions such as infrastructure upgrade and finding alternative water sources are being implemented,” she says.
The report acknowledges challenges in the said towns and clearly indicates solutions adopted by the municipalities, the Department of Water Affairs in collaboration with the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs to address immediate and long term problems. “In a town that does not have sufficient water to be supplied throughout the day, the local authorities have arranged for alternative methods of managing water to ensure that all citizens do share in the little available resource. Thus, water gets to be saved and shared,” says Bogatsu.
In Fauresmith, there is an unreliable source for supply of ground water. Water gets pumped from the bore-holes to fill reservoirs during the day and supplied during peak period in the mornings and evenings. Bogatsu says water tanks have been placed at strategic positions and they get filled by tankers from the municipality. “A permanent sustainable solution is being constructed which entails laying of a pipeline from Jagersfontein Water Treatment Works (WTW) to Fauresmith. This project is now 50% complete. Water storage capacity is also being increased in Fauresmith and the project is targeted for completion by end March 2014,” says Bogatsu.
Mohokare municipality experiences water shortage due to increased water demand and high water losses in the internal network. “The municipality is upgrading a Water Treatment Works plant to clear water supply and the project is planned for completion by end July 2013. In 5 of the mentioned towns including Vredefort, Bethulie, Dealsvile, the report mentions that there are no water shortages or no significant water shortages. It being winter, the natural water sources such as the Caledon River, run low however, alternative methods of supplying water to our communities are used to augment the shortage,” says Bogatsu.
She concludes by saying that the government is commitment to supplying its people with water and it can never be questioned or doubted.
