Pres Jacob Zuma officially opened the multi-million-rand Giyani Water Treatment Project at the Nsami Dam on Friday. The project will provide clean water to about 55 villages in the Giyani area.

He said the project, which will ensure every household in Giyani gets water, was 98% complete. “When you look at statistics compiled through research and site visits, all five local municipalities in the Mopani district municipality experienced water challenges.” He said the improvement of the water supply in Giyani came as a result of the visit by Water and Sanitation Minister Nomvula Mokonyane.

“The Department of Water Affairs requested the Lepelle Northern Water Board to assist as well as to improve the supply from the Middle Letaba Dam and other dams,” he said.

He said he would request updates from Premier Stan Mathabatha and Mokonyane from time to time and urged communities to help stop vandalism and theft of the water infrastructure. They should also save water as they have succeeded in saving electricity in the past. “Every drop counts,” he said.

According to the website of the South African Communication Services, SAnews.gov.za, the Giyani Water Treatment Works is part of the 26 Water Treatment Works which supply the Mopani District. The scope of the Giyani Water Treatment Works refurbishment project includes the construction of additional 6.7 megalitres-per-day water treatment works.

It also includes the refurbishment of the existing 30-megalitre water treatment works to increase the supply to 36.7 megalitres per day.