Water shortages will soon be a distant memory for the community of Colesberg in the Northern Cape thanks to the R153 million Colesberg Bulk Water Supply Scheme.

The Minister of Water and Sanitation Nomvula Mokonyane will officially hand over the project to the Umsobomvu Local Municipality next week.

The water project includes the construction of a 25 kilometre pipeline abstracting water from the Orange River to Colesberg, new river abstraction works, a new pump station with complete civil, mechanical, electrical and electronic works, as well as the upgrading and extension of the existing Colesberg Water Treatment Works.

“The aim of this scheme is to eradicate any existing water backlogs and to ensure sustainable water services to all of the approximately 4773 households accommodating 17 259 persons in the municipal jurisdiction of Colesberg at least until 2030,” the Department of Water and Sanitation said on Wednesday.

It is estimated that 77% of all the people living in the Umsobomvu Municipal area are indigent.

Before the implementation of the water project, the communities of Colesberg, Noupoort and Norvalspond experienced water shortages almost every day and in some instances had to fetch water from dams.

Others complained of dirty water coming out of their taps.

Minister Mokonyane said government will respond to water shortages and ensure that people have clean water in their communities. “Water and sanitation are placed high on government’s agenda.”