The Polokwane Municipality has set aside R191 million for the provision of water and sanitation infrastructure in rural areas.

This announcement was made by the Executive Mayor Councillor, Thembi Nkadimeng, during the report tabled in Council on the state of the city last week.

Nkadimeng said plans have been put in place to address challenges related to water provision. Part of those plans include upgrading the Molepo and Chuene-Maja Water Treatment Plants at a combined cost of R65 million, installing water meters in some households at a cost of R1.5 million, and freeing up R180 million from the Department of Water and Sanitation to assist with water infrastructure and sanitation backlogs.

A feasibility study to eradicate water challenges in Moletjie area has been concluded.

According to the study, an amount of R210 million is required to eradicate water challenges in Moletjie East, North and South whilst R157 million is required in Moletjie East alone.

“Theft, vandalism as well as illegal connections in the water network have complicated water supply challenges in Moletjie area,” she said adding that the delays in completing water projects in some areas were caused by stoppage of work by community members with various reasons including poor performance by some contractors.

In another project, Anglo Platinum has submitted an application to DWS for the increase of grey water use license to 20ML/day.

The department is still busy with the assessment of the request and the planned, R80 million, refurbishment of Polokwane Waste Water Treatment Works will be in full swing after the approval.

Regarding access to sanitation, Nkadimeng said R40 million has been budgeted through MIG for the 2015/16 financial year to construct over 4 000 VIP toilets in rural areas.

She added that the municipality provided 7 207 families with VIPL toilets, a number which still has to increase with remaining 294 toilets to be built in the 2015/16 financial year.