The Jericho water plan is expected to restore water to 19 villages that fall under the Madibeng Local Municipality.

The Jericho Water and Sanitation Forum in Madibeng, North West, will this week inform local residents about the details of a plan to provide drinking water to the water-scarce village.

The Jericho plan is part of a drive by the Department of Water and Sanitation and North West Department of Local Government and Human Settlements.

Majakaneng was the first village to benefit from the department’s plan which was implemented in March 2015. About 30 000 villagers have benefitted from the multimillion water project which is being implemented by Magalies Water.

During a public meeting held with local residents at the weekend, the forum announced that a workforce of 300 people had been recruited from the local community to work in various components of the project.

The proposed Jericho plan will be executed in five phases – these include the initiation and planning scheduled for completion in August 2015, design which is scheduled for completion in September 2015, implementation which will be rolled out between October – March 2016, commissioning scheduled for March 2016.

The project is expected to be handed over in March 2016 after completion.

The Department of Water and Sanitation said part of the work to be done in Jericho includes the optimisation of existing boreholes that are not working, equipping of two new boreholes, refurbishment and laying of a supply line from boreholes to the reservoir that will include valves and manholes.

“This will involve repairing a reservoir, installation of water meters and telemetry, as well as water treatment with chemicals,” the department explained.

Local Chief JT Mamogale has thanked the government for including the village in its plan.