Infrastructure South Africa Launches R1.7 Billion Water Turnaround Project in North West

TAUNG, NORTH WEST — Infrastructure South Africa has officially intervened to address severe water shortages in the Dr. Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality in the North West province. The largely rural district has been selected as one of the top eight national priority projects under a R1.7 billion Turnaround of Water Supply initiative designed to restore and strengthen long-term water security for local residents.

Access to clean drinking water has remained a critical concern in the area, with residents facing daily struggles to secure basic water needs. Locals report having to purchase water and pay rent despite having no running water, with some going to bed without enough water to bathe before school. Others noted that neither their private yards nor the communal taps are functioning, leading some community members to suspect the sudden governmental attention to the crisis is tied to the upcoming elections.

A spokesperson for the Dr. Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality acknowledged the severe service delivery backlog in water and sanitation across the region. The spokesperson noted that while previous water and sanitation projects had stalled, forcing the local government to rely on private water tankering to supply residents, notable improvements are now being realized.

“We are the first to acknowledge that we are a district with a serious service delivery backlog,” the municipal spokesperson stated, adding that medium- and long-term measures have since been developed. The municipality has recently been crossing the region to hand over completed water and sanitation projects, including water treatment plants, to mitigate the severe health risks posed to the community.

The newly announced R1.7 billion turnaround project, administered by Infrastructure South Africa, is scheduled for implementation in the 2026-2027 financial year. The municipal spokesperson explained that the project is expected to address the growing demand for diversified water sources. By drawing from main natural sources, the district aims to utilize water supplies that have proven to be more reliable over long periods.

Furthermore, the initiative will introduce critical wastewater recycling capabilities. Currently, the district treats its wastewater and returns the effluent to natural sources without reusing it. Once the project is implemented, the municipality will be able to recycle this water for human consumption.

The infrastructure upgrade will also extend its benefits to the Mamusa area. Bulk water will be routed from the Vaal via Mamusa in an area known as Amalia directly to the local municipality, ensuring a comprehensive and sustainable solution to the region’s ongoing water crisis.