The water and sanitation challenges plaguing the North West Province are set to take centre stage at a series of summits taking place this month.

The summits, which are being held by the North West Department of Local Government and Human Settlements, will kick off at the Taung Hotel School in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati district on Tuesday and will feature the first round with of four summits.

According to the provincial department the purpose of the summits is to discuss water and sanitation challenges in the province in order to develop plans that will ensure that there is stability and sustainability in the provision of these services in all areas in the province.

The department will host similar summits on 20, 26 and 27 February across the other three districts, namely Ngaka Modiri Molema, Bojanala Platinum and Dr Kenneth Kaunda respectively.

The summits are expected to be attended by other departments including the Departments of Water and Sanitation, Education and Sport Development.

Lab launch

Last month, Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister Pamela Tshwete launched a state-of-the-art laboratory in Brits.

Residents of the province are expected to benefit from the newly launched Magalies Water Services Laboratory, which provides services ranging from water quality testing and sampling, research and other services rendered in a scientific laboratory.

According to the minister the facility will ensure that there is even closer co-operation with its clients, municipalities, mines, industries and agriculture.

“The work of the laboratory will impact most positively on public health in the locality.This will be through the monitoring of drinking water supplies, process monitoring of water and wastewater works and environmental monitoring of rivers and dams,” the Deputy Minister said.