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The Driefontein Regional Bulk Water Supply Scheme that is being implemented to increase potable bulk water supply at the uThukela District Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal is well underway. 

This will be done through the design and implementation of the bulk water supply infrastructure ranging from a diameter of 630mm to 200 mm coming from Observation Hill reservoir in Ladysmith linking Driefontein via Hobsland reservoir, Jononoskop, Inkunzi and Indaka.

Implemented by the uThukela District Municipality with the Department of Water and Sanitation as the primary funder, the project is expected to ensure supply of portable bulk water to the population of more than 200 000 people and about 34 000 households in the Emnambithi and Indaka Local municipalities. 

“We are presently implementing the second phase of the project which is aimed at alleviating the current backlog of a secured and substantial source of bulk water supply at the Emnambithi and Indaka Local Municipalities,” said DWS Regional Head Ashley Starkey. 

Starkey added that the eventual water source of the project is the Spioenkop Dam.  Linkage to this source will only materialise when the third phase known as Spioenkop to Ladysmith Infrastructure Upgrade project is completed by mid-2022.

“The implementation funding has already been partially secured, however according to the quarterly performance evaluation report covering April-June 2020; there is a delay which emanates from the moratorium on expenditure against the third phase.  Implementation of the third phase will commence as soon as institutional arrangements between DWS, uThukela District Municipality in their capacity as Bulk Water Service Provider are finalised,” he said. 

The Driefontein Regional Bulk Water Supply Scheme is scheduled to be completed by December 2021 so as to tie in with the completion of Spioenkop to Ladysmith Infrastructure Upgrade Project in mid-2022. 

Starkey said the Department is committed to implement long-term measures to assist with water challenges in different parts of the province as dam levels continue to deteriorate. 

Issued by the Department of Water & Sanitation in Limpopo