Residents of Newtown in Louis Trichardt, Tshikota and surrounding villages have endured years of daily water shortages — a situation that could soon change with the completion of the Kutama Sinthumule Bulk Water Project. The R515 million project, which began in 2014, is expected to be finished by 30 March.
Carno Smit, who lives in Mimosa Street, knows the struggle all too well. In 2023, after years of inconsistent supply from the Vhembe District Municipality (VDM), he bought waterpipes to connect to a neighbour’s borehole.
“In 2010, I installed a 2,500-litre Jojo tank as I had discovered that the area was irregularly receiving water from the VDM. This was to ensure that the family had enough water throughout the day. However, the frequency of getting municipal water deteriorated in 2021, prompting me to install a 5,000-litre tank. In 2023 the situation was worse and I resorted to buying water. In a month I would pay R3,000 buying water. It was very costly for me compared to the R250 per month I used to pay to the municipality,” he said.
Since arranging to get water from his neighbour, Smit is now consistently supplied. “I am paying R1,200 per month. It's still expensive but I am assured of water every time,” he said.
Smit is one of more than 1,000 households that rarely receive water from the VDM. Residents are supposed to be supplied from the Mowkop reservoir and the Kutama Sinthumule Bulk Water Project, which was initially expected to be completed in 2017.
VDM acting communication manager Moses Shibambu said ageing and overstretched infrastructure, originally designed for a smaller population, is largely to blame. “Since the municipality assumed responsibility for water services in 2008, the area has seen significant population growth, increased household connections, and higher water demand, placing immense pressure on an already old distribution system,” he said.
Community member Hes Enslin said, “As a community, we discovered that the valve at the Mowkop reservoir is broken.” Shibambu said the valve has since been repaired. “The delay in repairing the valve was linked to technical assessments, availability of specialised components, and coordination of maintenance work within the broader water supply network,” he explained.
Despite repeated promises from VDM, residents continue to rely on purchased water, rainwater collection, or piping from neighbours’ boreholes. Many hope the completion of the bulk water project will finally provide consistent supply and relief.