WATER Affairs and Forestry Minister Ronnie Kasrils announced on Wednesday that he is to close three water projects in the Western Cape. Kasrils said the three Working for Water projects — in George, Mossel Bay and Knysna — will shut down immediately as a result of over-expenditure, low levels of productivity and lack of discipline and respect for project managers. Kasrils said about 690 employees will lose their jobs, but they would be paid an additional two weeks wages. Over 23000 people from local communities are employed at more than 300 Working for Water programmes countrywide.