Drinking water: Netherlands grants 200M rands to eThekwini

10 March 2011

The Dutch Government has just granted a loan of 200 million rand (€20.9 million) to the municipality of eThekwini,  in South Africa, to help provide drinking water to the poorest residents.

This loan will bring almost 800,000 inhabitants access to drinking water and also benefit from sanitary facilities through the replacement of pipes and the construction of nearly 200 new toilet blocks in shanty towns, reports News24.

This project will also control and manage the level of water as well as reducing wastage.

According to the manager of the water and sanitation department of the municipality of eThekwini (EWS), Neil Macleod, this substantial sum is not, however, enough to complete the project. In fact, while 100 million rand is needed to replace the old pipework, the sanitary installation project will cost 400 million rand.

Mr. Macleod hopes that part of the municipality's budget will help to fund the rest of the project.
 

Category: Water