By OBAKENG MAJE
Water scarcity continues to affect various areas across Taung. Many villages like Cokonyane, Mothanthanyaneng, Sekhing and others continued to be affected.
The Deputy Minister of Department Water and Sanitation (DWS), Sello Seitlholo said the Greater Taung Bulk Water Supply Scheme (BWSS) Phase 2E-1, is a critical component of the Taung/Naledi Regional Bulk Water Supply Scheme.
Seitlholo said even though the project was designed to augment water supply to the Naledi and Greater Taung Local Municipalities within the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality, it has been marred with challenges, which have exacerbated water supply shortages in the region.
“The project is funded under the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG). Despite initial progress, the project has encountered significant delays, primarily due to contractor-related challenges.
“The Selenane and Ultimate Dynamic have been responsible for constructing the pump stations and reservoirs, respectively. These components were completed between 2018 and 2024.
“The original contractor, Amawakawaka Tipucab JV, appointed on 25 October 2017, was expected to complete the project within 20 months. However, due to poor performance and financial difficulties, the contractor abandoned the project at 85% completion,” he said.
Seitlholo further said multiple attempts to re-engage the contractor were unsuccessful, leading to the termination of the contract on 9 February 2024. He added that following the termination of Amawakawaka Tipucab JV, a new contractor, Selenane and Ultimate Dynamic, was appointed on 22 May 2024.
“The first shipment of pipes is expected by 16 August 2024, with the project anticipated to be completed by 28 November 2024,” said Seitlholo.
Meanwhile, the Municipal Manager at Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality, Itumeleng Jonas said: “The Sekhing area is one of the villages that relies with the supply from the Pampierstad Water Treatment Work (WTW) within the Phokwane Local Municipality and currently there is erratic supply from the side and this has resulted in full time tinkering of water to the area by the municipality.
“In the short term, the municipality took an initiative to conduct groundwater aquifer testing on the abandoned boreholes in Sekhing in order to check if we can make use of them.”
He said there are recommendations, which has directed them to drill and source for new supplies to serve the village. Jonas said a borehole SG-BH-01 is a low borehole of 0.2 l/s recommended for hand pump or solar submersible pumps only.
“Borehole MG-BH-01 is a low yielding borehole with Class 3 water quality and is not to be used for human consumption. New production boreholes to be developed at a distance of approximately 500m from the existing boreholes.
“Based on the above tests, we have recently issued an instruction to a service provider to conduct source development in the view of drilling and equipping two boreholes at the peripheries of the village,” he said.
The Guardian 