EASTERN CAPE - SA GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES R125 MILLION WATER PLANT IN EC

 The dry conditions prevalent in the Joe Gqabi district in the Eastern Cape was put under the spotlight with the launch of a new water treatment plant for the area.

Water and Sanitation Minister Nomvula Mokonyane urged the public to use water sparingly at the launch of the R125-million plant.

The water from this plant will be supplied to the Joe Gqabi district municipality which include towns like Aliwal North, Lady Grey and Sterkspruit.

The Sterkspruit area is struggling with the drought. In 2016 the district resorted to sourcing water from neighbouring Lesotho to provide water to residents.

The community was also warned against illegal connections.

Mokonyane says: "The municipalities must have good by-laws that deal with illegal connection, that also deal with failure to pay."

"But most importantly let's make sure that we also save this water. It does not mean that we have water in abundance. Let’s save every drop and let's use it responsibly."

The district municipality says it is critical to work in conjunction with the ministry to overcome the water shortages in the region.

Joe Gqabi Mayor Zibonele Dumzel says: "We decided that we are going to have a water strategic plan. Our key priorities are the Orange River Micro Scheme. That micro scheme is going to assist us to resource water from the Orange River that is passing our district."

"This water will assist all our areas in terms of irrigation, giving water to the people, affecting all areas like Aliwal North, Lady Grey and Sterkspruit in particular, where we want to see that we get water and that project is a huge project from the district."

VIA - sabc.co.za