Department of Water and Sanitation Allocates R317 Million Water Grant for KZN

(The Post News)- According to COGTA, Department of Water and Sanitation increased the allocation of critical grant funding with an aim of improving water access within various municipalities in the province.

MEC for COGTA Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi welcomed the decision citing the importance of Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG) and the Water Services Infrastructure Grant (WSIG), saying these, “are important instruments designed to assist municipalities with water authority status in expanding access to water services.”

Buthelezi also said that the additional funding allocated to Zululand District and other municipalities, based on their how they used previous allocations, is a demonstration of strong commitment to ensuring water access for rural communities as well.

COGTA added that these funds will go towards supporting water infrastructure projects in the province and to also ensure that water supply reaches all communities.

Furthermore, Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina joined by Sarah Baartman District Municipality Executive Mayor, Deon de Vos and Councillor Solethu Lucas, the Mayor of Sundays River Valley Local Municipality, handed over the completed R35 million Kirkwood Bulk Water Project to the Sundays River Valley Local municipality on 14, April.

The department stated that the project has successfully tackled the enduring water challenges in the area.

“The completion includes the construction of a new 14 million litres raw water storage dam, which boosts the total storage capacity from 20.2 million litres to 34.2 million litres,” the statement wrote on the statement.

The department asserted that the this expansion also ensures constant water supply during the annual maintenance shutdown of the Orange-Fish Water Scheme,” which previously left the community vulnerable.”