Department of Water and Sanitation set aside R22 Million for an alternative water source for Debe Nek Water Supply Scheme
Department of Water and Sanitation set aside R22 Million for an alternative water source for Debe Nek Water Supply Scheme
Amatola Water working closely with Department of Water and Sanitation and Amathole District Municipality are in a drive to come up with the new source to assist with water supply for the affected Debe Nek communities. Department of Water and Sanitation has made available an amount of R22 Million to sort the crisis at hand and to ensure that there is water for the community.
Debe Nek Bulk Water Supply Scheme is seeking an alternative water source after the dam has run dry due to drought. Drought continues to ravage Eastern Cape Province and there has not been enough rain to circumvent the challenge. This results to the dwindling water supply and many dams decreasing and others totally run dry.
Mrs Amanda Sizani, Director at Department of Water and Sanitation highly concerned about the crisis said “Amatola Water must make sure that they come up with feasible alternative source within the short space of time and there is absolutely no time as communities are in dire need for water” she said this statement in the evening meeting of the 23 August 2021 that was convened for the meeting of minds to resolve the crisis.
Amatola Water presented options with estimates for the work presented and declared a serious limitation on funding availed, historically and perhaps much so in the following years. However, conservation of financial resources is still paramount. Sight must not be lost on the broader Master Plan proposals to upgrade to entire water transfer spine and the treatment capacity at the Sandile Water Treatment Works. All expenditure must be mindful of this macro planning perspective and serve to enhance it. “Infrastructure and costs that do not form part of the long-term picture must be avoided at all costs, unless
the goods can be recovered for redeployment and reasonably low cost.” Said Mr Siyabulela Koyo the Executive Director Planning and Development in Amatola Water.
The whole construction work will be done by Amatola Water Construction Unit which alone will be cost and time saving as procurement processes time will be out of the equation.
There are water trucks that are dispatched in various villages and more water tankers to augment water supply whilst the construction Unit is busy with the work of an alternative source. Each village will be supplied with water tanks at strategic areas so that water tankers will fill them every time they come to the village.
It is important to note that there is no adequate supply hence communities are encouraged to use water sparingly and suspend all the bulk water consuming activities so that there is always water for the basic services. It is understood that there is pandemic, and people must wash their hands. The request is that whilst people are doing that, they should do that responsible. The Water Sector will forever encourage communities to get into the drive of water harvesting in each and every household. Water harvesting tanks are no more a luxury but a need as we are experiencing drought, and this has been going on for a very long time.
For more information contact: Ms Nosisa Sogayise, Manager: Stakeholder and Communications @ 083 3577 953 Mr Thandile Ngcume – Department of Water and Sanitation @ 082 659 1422 Ms Sisa Soga Msiwa – Amathole District Municipality @ 0798894921
