The Department of Water and Environmental Affairs plays a crucial role in the job creation initiatives of government. For the period ahead the Department plans to contribute in job creation, particularly in rural areas, through its construction programmes. It intends to fill vacant positions in its regional offices and to be less dependant on consultants. The Department values the role of the Small Medium and Macro Enterprises (SMMEs) in creating jobs and stimulating economic growth, and as such will appoint SMMEs for its work. The Department contributes to the EPWP through the Working for Fire and Working for Water programmes. The Working for Fire programme is allocated R184.4 million in 2010/11 which increases to R254.6 million in 2012/13. The Working for Water programme is allocated R579.9 million in 2010/11, which increases to R855.5 million in 2012/13. For its capital expenditure, the Department proposed an additional budget of R4.8 billion, R10.9 billion and R8.1 billion in 2010/11, 2011/12 and 2012/13 financial years, respectively. The proposed additional budget was scaled down to R2.4 billion, R4.1 billion and R8.4 billion in 2010/11, 2011/12 and 2012/13 financial years, respectively. The Department indicated that no allocation was made for other projects after the scaling down. These include Mooi-Mngeni Transfer Scheme, Komati Water Augmentation Project and Mokolo and Crocodile River Water Augmentation Project. The Department indicated that the National Treasury was of a view that these projects can be funded off-budget through the Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA). Part of the mandate of the TCTA is to fundraise for bulk water infrastructure through loans from the commercial water users that benefit from these projects.