Sisulu: Urgent measures to be implemented to address water challenges

By: Zilungile Mkhize

Water and Sanitation Minister, Lindiwe Sisulu, says urgent measures will be implemented to address water challenges in identified areas across the country.

She says these areas are highly affected by drought and their dam levels have dropped alarmingly.

Sisulu says the interventions will include completing the construction of water projects, and the refurbishment of dysfunctional boreholes in drought-stricken areas.

The department’s intervention follows the latest dam level report, which indicates that some of the country’s reservoirs are losing 1% of stored water week-on-week

According to the report, levels have dropped from 73.3% in the same period last year to 60% this week, a 10% loss in 12 months.

The department says scientific projections are that hot temperatures will persist until the end of the summer period next year.

Sisulu says the interventions are in line with the government’s New District Model of aligning integrated service delivery across the three spheres of government, within the next 18 months.