Operation Bulela Metsi accelerates water in Dinokana

Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu has committed to ensure that Operation Bulela Metsi meets its obligations to the people of Dinokana, North West, and ultimately the whole province.

The Minister said this during the sod-turning of the R106 million Dinokana Water Supply Intervention Project, implemented by Magalies Water, in Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality.

The Dinokana project is one of 27 water and sanitation projects under Operation Bulela Metsi that were unlocked and reprioritised in 2023. The objective is to provide an additional 35 000 residents with standpipes.

Mchunu said through intergovernmental structures, the programme will ensure that every household has access to water through a standpipe. He added that people need to be patient as the project is being implemented in phases.

The project scope entails the refurbishment and upgrade of the Dinokana rural water supply infrastructure, which includes high lift pump refurbishment and upgrade from 2 Ml/day to 4 Ml/day; refurbishment of boreholes; upgrading of the spring water pump station and pipeline; refurbishment of the distribution system up to the bulk water reservoirs, and constructing an additional 2 Ml reservoir to provide additional gravity pressure.

Mchunu commended the progress made, saying water will eventually reach everyone who needs to benefit from the project.

“We are now here to point to the work that is currently being carried out. Refurbishing the pump station is critical so that all the pumps are working optimally in order to pump the required quantities, and be able to meet the demand of these communities in the four wards,” Mchunu said.

Over 1 000 metres of bulk pipeline has already been laid, including the commencement of work on the refurbishment and the bulk distribution network, which has also commenced.

Dinokana Water Supply Intervention project is being implemented in four phases including:

Phase 1 - Bulk pipeline distribution construction, including reservoir and refurbishment to existing transmission lines.

Phase 2 - Refurbishment of boreholes and additional drilling and equipping of boreholes.

Phase 3 - Reticulation and standpipe at 200m radial distance within village boundary.

Phase 4 - Upgrading pump station and pumping line to allow both reservoirs to be fed by pump station.

The Minister encouraged locals with illegal water connections to report to the local mayor to be legally connected for free.

The programme is a culmination of a series of intergovernmental engagements among the three spheres of government, including business, traditional leaders and community structures on the water and sanitation challenges faced by the province. - SAnews.gov.za