North West Records Major Progress on Water Projects Through Municipal Grant Funds

The department says the improvements reflect a heightened commitment to resolving long-standing water shortages and expanding access to reliable water supply for growing communities.

The North West Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) has announced substantial progress in delivering water and sanitation infrastructure across the province, driven by the effective rollout of the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG). The department says the improvements reflect a heightened commitment to resolving long-standing water shortages and expanding access to reliable water supply for growing communities.

Major Water Projects Near Completion

Several large-scale water supply projects are now at advanced stages of construction:

• Ipelegeng, Schweizer-Reneke – R131 million Bulk Water Augmentation Project This flagship project has reached 95% completion and marks a major breakthrough for an area that has endured persistent water scarcity. It includes the R14.8 million refurbishment of the Schweizer-Reneke Water Treatment Works, aimed at increasing purification capacity and stabilising local supply.

• City of Matlosana – Pump Station Upgrades (R39.5 million) Critical pump stations in Jouberton, Ellaton, Loraine, Kanana, and Khuma are being refurbished, with work nearing completion. Once finalised, these upgrades will significantly boost water pressure, reduce outages, and improve system reliability for thousands of households.

• Mahikeng – R385 million Water and Sanitation Investments Ongoing projects in Madibe A Tau, Lonely Park, Setlopo, and the wider Mahikeng Rural Sanitation initiative are strengthening both water distribution and sanitation infrastructure, contributing to long-term municipal resilience.

• Rustenburg – Tlhabane Bulk Internal Water Reticulation (R58 million) Now 96% complete, this project aims to enhance pipeline capacity and ensure consistent delivery to high-demand areas.

• Lethabong – Internal Sewer Reticulation & Wastewater Treatment Upgrade (R140 million+) This major sanitation initiative is 82% complete, providing expanded wastewater treatment capacity and improved compliance with environmental standards.

Government: Progress Shows Renewed Commitment

North West CoGTA MEC Gaoage Molapisi says the ongoing projects demonstrate government’s determination to address persistent water shortages and respond to population growth.

“These achievements reflect CoGTA’s commitment to strengthening the provision of basic services such as water to improve the quality of life of our communities,” Molapisi said. He added that improved performance is linked to stronger municipal monitoring through quarterly forums and better coordination of MIG-funded projects.

Operation Bulela Metsi Expands Water Access

Beyond the MIG initiatives, CoGTA is implementing additional programmes under Operation Bulela Metsi, launched in partnership with the Department of Water and Sanitation. The intervention aims to accelerate water access for all households through targeted infrastructure delivery.

Key highlights include:

• R106 million Dinokana Water Supply Intervention Currently underway in Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality, this project is designed to increase water security for communities that have faced severe shortages.

• JB Marks Local Municipality – 25ML Reservoir in Ikageng Construction of a 25 megalitre reservoir is progressing well and will soon supply water to multiple extensions, including Potch Industria and Mohadin, helping ease pressure on existing infrastructure.

Strengthening Service Delivery for the Future

The North West provincial government says the combined impact of MIG projects and Operation Bulela Metsi will significantly improve water reliability, sanitation standards, and community well-being across the province. These efforts form part of a broader strategy to ensure sustainable, long-term water security while improving municipal service delivery performance.