General News

SANDF assists with water provision - 3 February 2009

Buanews

Western Cape - The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is currently assisting with the provision of water in the Western and Eastern Cape, after recent water shortages.

The Eden District Municipality in the Western Cape and the Amatole District Municipality in the Eastern Cape experienced water shortages after its reservoirs ran out.

Operation HUMAN, the SANDF operation in support of both municipalities was launched in the two districts to provide water to the municipalities.

The SANDF has deployed four water bunkers to the Eden District Municipality and six water bunkers to the Amatole District Municipality to help them meet their daily requirements.

“As of 30 January, 367 000 litres of drinking water has been supplied to the town’s (Eden District) main reservoir by SANDF teams, using four water bunkers,” said SANDF spokesperson Petrus Mothlabane.

The Amatole District Municipality in the Eastern Cape, servicing the towns of Adelaide and Fort Beaufort have so far received 137 000 litres of water, pumped from the Fish River and transported to the Adelaide water purification plant.

Operation HUMAN is scheduled to continue until the end of this month, after which the situation on the ground will be re-assessed.