The Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA) and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) have stepped forward to try to help the Vhembe District Municipality (VDM) address some of its water-delivery problems. A delegation from the two bodies visited Vhembe last Wednesday (6th).
The plan is to revitalize 14 springs as well as boreholes and wells in five rural villages in the Vhembe region. Last Wednesday's meeting was attended by officials from the VDM, DBSA, and CSIR, as well as representatives from Adopt a River, traditional leaders, and the Department of Water and Sanitation.
In August last year, VDM received an injection of R5 billion from the Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA) for a five-year Integrated Municipal Approach anchored on the Partner a District Programme, aiming towards infrastructure development.
Mr Khwathelani Bologo, an officer from DBSA, said they had appointed and contracted the CSIR to conduct detailed planning for revitalising springs, boreholes, and wells, which started in mid-February. The project should be completed in 15 months.
"Our approved project planning budget is R15 million to revitalise springs, boreholes, and wells after finding out that some communities rely on contaminated water without support from the government. We assist municipalities to reduce service-delivery backlogs in water supply to rural communities," said Bologo.