MAPELA – The National Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry, Mr Ronnie Kasrils, appealed to municipalities to put in place mechanisms for efficient water use by domestic consumers.

He was the guest speaker during the handing over of the Mapela Water Scheme project under the Greater Giyani Municipality last Thursday (March 25).

Kasrils also encouraged community members to conserve water, adding that the Water Boards, Water User Associations, catchments management agencies and the communities are important role-players in ensuring that people use water efficiently, especially during this drought season.

Kasrils further said that people must ensure that they educate children and the community in general about the importance of water conservation and the management of our water resources at local level.

The Minister said that, in 1994, about 14 million South Africans did not have access to safe clean drinking water and approximately 21 million of them did not have access to a basic level of sanitation. According to him, this year, about 10 million more people have access to clean water than in 1994. "The government is striving to supply water to those remaining without water in the remote areas," he said. He added that by 2010, all South Africans would have access to basic clean sanitation.

Kasrils said the Mapela Water Project will provide water to more than 105 000 people residing in the 13 villages with enough water. "We are also focusing on providing employment opportunities to unemployed people in the Vhembe area," he said.