An additional R6.5-billion is set to flow into water affairs' coffers over the next three years, according to the 2013 Budget tabled by Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan on Wednesday.

It shows the department will receive a total of R38bn over the 2013, 2014 and 2015 financial years, most of it earmarked for water infrastructure, and its implementation and support.

This is just over R6.5-billion more than the 2012 Budget estimate.

"The spending focus over the medium term will be on funding water infrastructure management, and regional implementation and support programmes for bulk water programmes."

This was aimed at accelerating the delivery of water to households, agriculture and industry.

Among so-called mega-infrastructure projects is the construction of the De Hoop Dam and associated bulk raw water distribution systems in Limpopo, and a R2.8-billion dam safety rehabilitation project, involving the 315 reservoirs owned by the department.

Another is the raising of the Clanwilliam Dam wall in the Western Cape.

According to the budget national expenditure document, the start of this project "has been pushed back due to delays in completing the feasibility studies".