The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has pledged to spend R10.8 billion this financial year to address infrastructure challenges.

The money will be split between various grants and programmes in order to maximise infrastructure development.

 

Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant

According to the DWS, in excess R5 billion will be spent this financial year, through the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant in various projects across the provinces to address infrastructure challenges.

This grant aims to develop new infrastructure, and refurbish, upgrade and replace ageing infrastructure that connects water resources to infrastructure serving extensive areas across municipal boundaries.

“The implementation of regional bulk infrastructure plays a critically important role in ensuring that the department provides a sustainable and holistic value-chain of water supply and sanitation infrastructure,” said Minister Nomvula Mokonyane.

 

Municipal Water Infrastructure Grant

The Municipal Water Infrastructure Grant will receive more than R3.1 billion.

This programme aims to facilitate the planning and implementation of various water and sanitation projects to accelerate backlog reduction and improve the sustainability of services in prioritised district municipalities, especially in rural municipalities.

 

Accelerated Community Infrastructure Programme

The Accelerated Community Infrastructure Programme will receive R164 million this financial year. The programme will focus on universal access to water services by implementing projects related to Water Conservation and Demand Management

 

Rural Household Infrastructure Grant

The Rural Household Infrastructure Grant will provide dry, on-site sanitation to the 27 priority district municipalities in seven provinces.

A total of 11 360 toilets were provided in the 2015/2016 financial year. A further 10813 toilets will be provided in the 2016/2017 financial year at the cost of R113.4 million.

“We can confirm that no more bucket toilets exist in the formal areas of Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and North West Province,” said Mokonyane. “It is not yet over until an African child doesn’t have to relieve herself in the veld.”