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Stakeholders in the battle for a consistent water supply to Makhado (Louis Trichardt), photographed after a steering committee meeting. Mr Wally Schultz (second from right), chairperson of the local AfriForum branch, said that the current contractors who were fighting the water battle with them were an outstanding bunch. Photo supplied.

A few obstacles remain in water supply battle

Date: 01 August 2014 By: Linda van der Westhuizen

AfriForum says that although a few obstacles remain in the fight for a consistent water supply, the current contractors who are fighting the water battle with them are an outstanding bunch.

“We have come to the point where all who come to the meetings have a team spirit and all have determination and the same goal, that of getting water to town,” the local AfriForum chairperson, Mr Wally Schultz, said this week. He was referring, among others, to contractors Solidarity Developers and Belta Services and other important stakeholders. This came after the steering committee meeting on 22 July. Mr Ernest Mabonyane was the representative of the Vhembe District Municipality (VDM) at the meeting. The steering committee had been appointed by VDM municipal manager Mr Masala Makumule to oversee the vital project to ensure the water supply.

The contractors, who were driving to finish the work, apparently formed quite a contrast to the consulting firm, who seemed to drag their feet and hold up the drilling of three new boreholes near Mowkop. These are necessary to augment the water supply when water from the Albasini Dam is shut down for repairs to leaks in the aged pipeline or the pumps.

“I was surprised to find that the consulting engineers had overlooked the fact that they need to get a Water Use License from the DWA before Komatiland, the owners of the property where the boreholes will be drilled, will give final permission,” said Schultz after the meeting and added that they had previously dragged their feet in obtaining an environmental impact assessment.

Another small hurdle to overcome is the electrification of two older boreholes, where cables had been stolen, and the replacement of a transformer - both tasks that need to be done by the Makhado Municipality. Solidarity Developers said at a previous meeting concerning the electricity that a new certificate of compliance would be submitted to the Makhado Municipality. The Makhado Municipality indicated that they would start with the construction of a power line to one of the boreholes that needed electrification. The delay of the electrification of the borehole near the railway line was due to the quotation process.

 
 
 

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Linda van der Westhuizen

Linda van der Westhuizen has been with Zoutnet since 2001. She has a heart for God, people and their stories. Linda believes that every person is unique and has a special story to tell. It follows logically that human interest stories is her speciality. Linda finds working with people and their leaders in the economic, educational, spiritual and political arena very rewarding. “I have a special interest in what God is doing in our town, province and nation and what He wants us to become,” says Linda.

 
 

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