E800 million Water intervention for four Tinkhundla

Eswatini Water Services Corporation (EWSC) Managing Director Jabulile Mashwama has requested the support of Traditional Authorities and Constituency administration in the implementation of the Manzini Region Water and Sanitation Project. Mashwama said this during a project briefing which was held at the EWSC Headquarters at Ezulwini. Mashwama said this was one of the scheduled stakeholder engagement meetings which convened project beneficiaries and affected communities, and more were still to be held at the constituency level.

The Manzini Region Water and Sanitation Project is an 800 million Emalangeni project financed by the Government of Eswatini and the African Development Bank, targeting Nhlambeni, Manzini South, Mtfongwaneni, and Mafutseni. The project is based on the need to develop a more reliable and sustainable water supply in the project area, and the promotion of more environmentally friendly solutions for sanitation.

Addressing the meeting which constituted Members of Parliament, Tindvuna teTinkhundla, Bucopho and Water Committees, Mashwama also highlighted that the preliminary project briefing sessions are pertinent to allow for meaningful contributions towards project designs and proper identification of affected communities. “Community engagement in water and sanitation service delivery is key for ensuring project sustainability and accountability” she said.

“Potable Water

The proposed water project will be one of the major water projects to be implemented by EWSC that will impact an estimated population of 76,500 from the different areas.  The potable water component of the project is proposed to entail an upgrade of the existing Matsapha Water Treatment Plant, construction of two water reservoirs with a combined capacity of 23.5 megalitres, gravity and pumping mains, water reticulation pipelines as well as 25 water kiosks.

EWSC`s obligation is to reduce the number of people without access to water and sanitation and through the water kiosk system, the Corporation will provide access to clean and safe water at an affordable tariff. The 25 water kiosks will be distributed across the project area with more consideration given to areas that are in dire need for water and are densely populated.

Sanitation

Within the sanitation component in the peri-urban areas, the project will capacitate the different communities with knowledge and technical expertise on the construction of VIP (Ventilated Improved Pit-Latrine) toilets.  A 2.2 megalitre wastewater treatment plant and a reticulation system will be constructed targeting Sidvokodvo community cognisant of the proposed industrial town.