Water, Sewage & Effluent November-December 2016 | Page 30

municipalities infrastructure debate President Jacob Zuma touched on water infrastructure in his State of the Nation Address, but did not provide detail on how the issue will be approached. industry GREEN DROP STATISTICS MAY 2011, 7 OUT OF 159 water supply authorities were certified with the green drop 32 OUT OF 1 237 wastewater treatment plants were certified with the green drop networking tech news 7+38+55z 7% 38% 55% In 2009, when 449 wastewater treatment plants had been assessed, according to official government data, 7% were classified as excellently managed, 38% “performed within acceptable standards” and 55% did not perform within acceptable standards. 28 Water Sewage & Effluent November/December 2016 infrastructure, including dams, canals, water treatment works, reservoirs, and pipelines to connect households. “A total of R15-billion has been allocated to the regional bulk infrastructure grant to upgrade and refurbish ageing water infrastructure. In addition, R12-billion has been allocated to the water services infrastructure grant to improve water supply in poor communities, and R5.5-billion to the Water Trading Entity for capital projects, including work to address acid mine drainage,” says National Treasury in a statement. According to the treasury, water boards, the Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority, and municipalities also raise their own funding for water infrastructure projects. Medium-term projects Over the medium term, the Department of Water and Sanitation and its implementing agencies will initiate phase 2C of the Olifants River Water Resources Development Project and the Steelpoort pumping station. Phases 2B and 2D of the Olifants River project are due to start over the medium term and are scheduled for completion in 2020. Other projects to be completed during the medium term include the transfer of water from Xonxa Dam to Lukhanji Local Municipality, in the Eastern Cape, at a total project cost of R444-million. The project will