THE Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) in the Eastern Cape has revealed that it is fast-tracking the implementation of the Ngqamakhwe Regional Water Supply Scheme, which aims at developing bulk infrastructure and providing a permanent water supply in Butterworth.
According to the department, the bulk water infrastructure will supply approximately 78 000 people in 129 rural villages within the Mnquma Local Municipality.
“We envision that the Ngqamakhwe Bulk Water Supply will provide permanent water solutions to Butterworth town and surrounding areas,” said DWS spokesperson, Sputnik Ratau.
He added that the project implementation would entail developing a regional water supply for Ngqamakhwe which will bring a permanent water supply in Butterworth from the Tsomo Water Treatment Works.
Works to be carried out include the construction of a 7.5ML Concrete Reservoir and a 23m Gravity Bulk line with a diameter of 450mm, as well as electrical and mechanical pump installations, among other things.
The department has reiterated its commitment to ensure the effective implementation of the project and several others being carried out across the province, considering the continued drought situation in some parts of the province.
Meanwhile, the Concerned Citizens, a structure that has organised marches and protests to vent their anger at the shortage of a water supply in Butterworth, has expressed scepticism on whether the department will deliver on its promise for a permanent solution to the Butterworth water shortage problem, saying their promises were not new.
“We were told by the same DWS that some of these projects they are talking of accelerating will be done as far back as December last year, but nothing has happened. Instead we are still subjected to water rationing in Butterworth,” said Concerned Citizens chairperson, Saziso Peter.
