The Department also reported that there was an increase in the number of communities to be supplied by the dam. Initially, the dam was meant to supply 750 000 people once completed, but would now supply 1.2 million people. The Committee was concerned about whether the initial 750 000 people were already benefiting from the project before the additional population could benefit. In a written response submitted after the visit, the Department reported that the initial 750 000 people were already receiving water. It added that this amounted to 195 000 people or 43 050 households in 33 communities who were being supplied. The Thohoyandou community was already benefiting from the supply of water, despite the six communities which were still unable to receive water.