Pretoria - An amount of R1 million has been allocated to help the Madibeng Local Municipality address its water crisis.
The assistance follows an outbreak of algal blooms in raw water sources in the Hartebeespoort area, which prompted the municipality to close all outlet valves supplying water to the surrounding areas.
The North West Department of Local Government and Traditional Affairs said to date, water tanks have been deployed to supply water to the worst affected areas such as Mmakau, Letlhabile, Centerville, Maboloka, Lethabong, Madidi, Oskraal, Brits, Itsoseng, Meerhof, Mothutlung and Oukasi.
"Officials from Magalies Water are currently refurbishing the Brits plant, while the Haartebeespoort water purification plant will also undergo major refurbishment," the department said.
The cost to sustain the project is estimated at R8 million and to address the shortfall, the department is in the process of securing additional funding through the Development Bank of Southern Africa.
Meanwhile, the municipality is to enter into an agreement with Rand Water to construct a 50km pipeline around the Haartebeespoort area at an estimated cost of R100 million to reticulate areas currently relying on boreholes and private estates.
The action is intended to generate revenue for the municipality through rates collection and is expected to unlock development potential in the area.
