Since the start of national lockdown, the City has sustained its efforts to enhance access to water for basic hygiene to help protect the health of our most vulnerable residents from the spread of COVID-19 as far as possible. As part of these efforts, Phase 2 of the water tanks programme is now complete, with 214 tanks installed in densely populated informal areas. It has been a joint effort between the City and the National Department of Water and Sanitation.
This brings the total to 307 ‘Jojo style’ tanks that have been installed under the City’s Informal Settlements Basic Services (ISBS) Action Plan. Through a combination of water trucks and tanks, 41 million litres of clean, drinking water have been delivered to communities where the installation of standpipes is a challenge. With Phase 2 of the water tank programme now complete, this water distribution figure is set to rise substantially.
The City’s Department of Water and Sanitation has worked closely with the National Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) to ensure the safe and successful implementation of this large scale project, as quickly as possible. The tanks range in capacity from 2500 to 2700 litres, and have been installed throughout the Monwabisi Park area in Khayelitsha.
‘The successful completion of Phase 2 of the water tank programme, which comprises 214 tanks installed on 856 foundations, is the result of extensive work and collaboration between the City’s Department of Water and Sanitation and our counterparts in National Government. Together with the tanks installed in Phase 1, the total number of tanks delivered stands at 307,’ said Alderman Xanthea Limberg, Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Waste at the City of Cape Town.
Monwabisi Park is an example of one of many settlements within the City that have been established despite significant City efforts to prevent the land from being occupied. Monwabisi Park is established on sand dunes and as such cannot support formal development or installation of traditional services such as standpipes. For this and settlements facing similar constraints the City has had to make special arrangements to facilitate increased hand washing and other measures to mitigate against COVID-19.
‘We remain committed to doing all we can to find solutions to challenges in serving our vulnerable residents. I would like to thank our dedicated teams who continue to work tirelessly to ensure basic services are ramped up during this time,’ said Alderman Limberg.
Alongside the Phase 2 programme, the ISBS Action Plan has rolled out the following emergency mitigation measures:
- Delivery of more than 41 million litres of water via trucks. All water is strictly monitored and tested for SANS241 (drinking water standard) quality compliance.
- Installation of 93 water tanks in informal settlements on City-owned land. All water is strictly monitored and tested for SANS241 (drinking water standard) quality compliance.
- Water pressure to informal settlements has been increased to ensure adequate water from the standpipes.
- Increased janitorial services.
- Community awareness drives to reach residents with messages about the importance of hand washing and social distancing, among others.
The community awareness campaigns, driving messages of hygienic best practices, have been done through loudhailer tours of neighbourhoods, a rapid and extensive dissemination of pamphlets/posters in different languages, and engaging community leaders in each settlement with key messaging. We are also promoting the use of squeeze bottles to wash hands regularly.
During the delivery of water to the community, Water and Sanitation staff also reiterate the messaging of City Health officials in terms of maintaining hygiene practices of hand washing after sneezing, coughing or touching surfaces in public places.
‘I would also like to thank the communities who are working together with our teams to allow these programmes to be implemented as efficiently as possible. By working together, we stand the best chance of fighting the spread of COVID-19. As a caring City, we would also like to strongly advise residents who are living in informal settlements and on farms, to please not use empty paint containers or pesticide containers to transport water, as this poses serious health risks to those who use this water. Please ensure that containers are clean and sterile, and are closed with a lid to prevent contamination while stored,’ said Alderman Limberg.