By Rianté Naidoo

More than R42 million was recently spent to upgrade infrastructure at 64 water treatment facilities across South Africa. This was followed by the assessments of water distribution infrastructures at state-owned facilities. Both projects were in an effort to devise water efficiency strategies to help conserve water and reduce consumption.

Public works minister Nathi Nhleko said R42,7 million was spent on blue drop requirements and condition assessments at the 64 water treatment facilities to ensure that quality water was being provided at military bases and to people at correctional centres. He added that R55, 4 million was spent on projects aimed at meeting green drop requirements at 82 wastewater treatment works across the country.

Nhleko said both upgrade projects formed part of the water infrastructure turn-around plan programme.

Lesiba Kgwele, spokesperson for the minister, told infrastructurene.ws that water distribution infrastructures were assessed at the Westville, Pollsmoor, Mangaung, Qalakabushe, Paxton and Goodwood correctional centres.

Of the 64 water treatment facilities that were upgraded, Nkleko said 13 were previously very poorly maintained. These were located in the Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Kwa-Zulu Natal, Free State, Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo.

Strategies and programme

Kgwele said the department began the rollout of a water quality management programme in March earlier this year and that through the programme, water infrastructure maintenance and conservation will be prioritised at the 13 poorly maintained water treatment facilities.

He also said the programme will also employ 1,404 young people across 340 facilities. These will include civil engineers, artisans (electrical, instrumentation, mechanical and boiler makers), water resource practitioners, compliance managers, process controllers, maintenance managers, general workers, support staff, and laboratory staff.

He added that security was also being recruited for participation in the programme.

According to Kgwele, small, medium and micro enterprises, and the private sector will be involved in the rollout of the programme.

Talking about strategies, Kgwele said various ones will be implemented across the board to monitor pressure management, pipe replacement, leak detection, retrofitting and repairs that are needed. He added that there will also be awareness campaigns and programmes to train the youth, and that alternate water supplies and water harvesting technologies will be introduced at the various facilities.