The Department of Water and Sanitation in the Northern Cape has urged the community in Warrenton to allow the R83 million water upgrade project to continue after protest action delayed progress.
THE DEPARTMENT of Water and Sanitation in the Northern Cape has urged the community in Warrenton to allow the R83 million water upgrade project to continue after protest action delayed progress.
Spokesperson for the Department of Water and Sanitation Sputnik Ratau on Tuesday said the project, which was being completed in partnership with the Magareng Local Municipality, commenced in April 2020 and was scheduled to be completed in June 2021.
“Due to community protests on various service delivery issues, including water shortages, the project has been delayed.
“The Department of Water and Sanitation is urging the community of Magareng Local Municipality to allow the process of the construction and upgrading of the Magareng Water Treatment Plant to be completed as this will address the issue of water shortages and provide the much needed bulk water supply to the community.”
He added that the project includes upgrading the capacity of the nine megalitres per day (9ml/day) water treatment plant to a 12 ml/day capacity.
“Currently under construction is a new water reservoir and the installation of new flocculation channels and sedimentation tanks.
“The upgrade will improve water treatment and production processes to acceptable water quality standards in line with the South African National Standards.”
Ratau estimated that the project would further reduce water losses from 33 percent to less than 10 percent.
“This will make a sufficient and sustainable water supply available to the people of Magareng Local Municipality.”
