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3838. The boreholes are for potable purposes (Alcock, 1989)*. A few boreholes are
drilled for irrigation requirements only. Boreholes for potable needs are funded entirely by
the KwaZulu Government and no financial contribution is requested from residents. It is
not necessary for residents to provide any self-help labour. Boreholes for potable purposes
are also drilled under the auspices of the KwaZulu Department of Works in certain high
density areas, and at Government buildings such as police stations and clinics in rural
areas. Successful boreholes are regarded as those yielding more than 600 f h- 1 in terms
of a pumping test. Most boreholes are equipped with handpumps. A few boreholes (such
as those at police stations and clinics) are fitted with windmills, solar powered pumps or
diesel/petrol engines. The borehole drilling programme undertaken by the two KwaZulu
departments began in 1972. The procedure involved is discussed in the chapter on the
surface water resources of Natal/KwaZulu (see the section on Local authorities and
services in KwaZulu). The Port Natal/Ebhodwe, the Natal Midlands, the Southern Natal,
the Thukela and the Zululand Joint Services Boards have all been active in the drilling of
boreholes for domestic (drought relief) purposes in black rural areas. The Directorate of
Soil Conservation and Drilling Services (of the South African Department of Agriculture),
and the Directorate of Geohydrology lof the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry),
are involved in a joint drought relief drilling project in seven KwaZulu districts.
(b) Wells
Three organizations have mainly been involved with the sinking of wells in KwaZulu
IAlcock, 1987)*4. The KwaZulu Department of Agriculture and Forestry has installed
numerous ring wells fitted with handpumps, in the northern sandy coastal plain of
Maputaland, as well as in the Ogwini and Mpandleni agricultural regions of KwaZulu.
Some self-help labour is required during installation. The Department is responsible for the
maintenance of the wells and handpumps. All materials and equipment for installation as
well as maintenance purposes are supplied by the Department.
*
**
See Alcock, P.G., 1989. Watersupply systems for the Ximba Ward of Kwazulu: a proposed strategy,
Occasional Publication No. 9, Department of Crop Science, University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg,
128 p. 1ft should be noted that as of June 1993, the KwaZulu Department of Works has been
responsible for the emergency (drought relief) drilling of boreholes at Ulundi and Nongomal.
See Alcock, P.G., 1987. Domestic water supplies in non-urban KwaZulu: existing water systems,
Occasional Publication No. 8, Department of Crop Science, University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg,
100 p.