Durban – KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala launched a provincial water master plan and borehole intervention in the Harry Gwala District on Tuesday.
The master plan contains an analysis of the current level of access and available water services in each ward in the province and an evaluation of the current demand and future trends, including the estimates of projected and future demand up to 2050.
“The master plan also spells out KwaZulu-Natal’s water-related challenges and, more importantly, outlines the short-, medium- and long-term solutions together with the funding that is required to address the backlogs,” Zikalala said.
He said as part of the medium-term measures, the province – through the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) – has built 250 boreholes across the six districts which experience the greatest challenges with water provision.
These include uThukela, Zululand, uMzinyathi, Harry Gwala, uMkhanyakude and Amajuba.
“Tuesday’s launch marks an important milestone in the province’s efforts to bring water closer to communities and businesses,” Zikalala said.
He was joined by national Minister of Cogta, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, and Minister of Water and Sanitation Senzo Mchunu.
IOL