Water and Sanitation Minister, Pemmy Majodina, has commended the progress made in the upgrade of Klipdrift Water Treatment Works and the successful refurbishment of the Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW) in Hammanskraal.
Majodina and Deputy Minister Sello Seitlholo undertook an oversight visit at various water projects in Hammanskraal and Vereeniging over the weekend.
The visits formed part of ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Water and Sanitation to ensure acceleration of water and sanitation projects, especially in areas that are experiencing challenges due to inadequate infrastructure.
The inspections came as the Department of Water and Sanitation through its entities, Magalies Water and Rand Water, alongside the City of Tshwane and Emfuleni Local Municipality are working collaboratively to effectively address water challenges that are affecting these areas.
Majodina and Seitlholo commended the refurbishments at Vereeniging, which have decreased sewer spillages at various places in Emfuleni Municipality.
In 2021, former Minister of Water and Sanitation, Senzo Mchunu, invoked and placed Emfuleni Local Municipality under Section 63 of the Water Services Act, and took over water and sanitation services.
This follows the municipal failure to manage its water and sanitation services, which resulted in sewer spillages in communities and into the Vaal River polluting the raw water source.
Rand Water was appointed as an Implementing Agent to deliver an effective solution that will eradicate pollution in the river and its tributaries and address water and sanitation service delivery challenges that inhibit both social and economic development in the region.
The Minister and Deputy Minister visited the Leeuwkuil Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW), which is the main catchment plant for waste water in Emfuleni Municipality and comprises 37 pumpstations.
Leeuwkuil WWTW upgrades include pipeline upgrade and refurbishment of the catchment pump station as well as the construction of a new rising main. The plant has a capacity to supply 50 mega litres per day (ml/day) but will supply 200 ml/day following the upgrades.
The upgrades of the wastewater treatment plant has brought about a relief of sewer spillages at various areas in Emfuleni municipality. Rand Water has also ensured that municipal officials are being capacitated with skills to continue to address issues of sewer blockages.
Seitlholo commended Rand Water for its performance after the municipality was placed under Section 63 intervention.
Rand Water has been given an extension to upgrade four other major wastewater plants in Emfuleni.
The department has allocated R6.2 billion through its Regional and Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG) to Rand Water for additional water and sanitation projects in Emfuleni.
“Rand Water has done exceptionally well in addressing issues of sewer spillages and river pollution. Emfuleni has experienced a huge population growth and there is therefore a need for more major upgrades of the plants in this area,” Seitlholo said.
The principals also received a progress report on the construction of Klipdrift package plant, and the refurbishment and upgrade of Babelegi Waste Water Treatment Plant.
The projects are undertaken by Magalies Water as the implementing agent.
Another water project includes the upgrade of Babelegi Reservoir, which will supply water to Temba Water Treatment Plant. A new pipeline from Babelegi to Temba will be constructed along the existing pipeline.
Babelegi Water Treatment plant currently supplies 12.5 ml/day to Babelegi Reservoir, and the upgrades currently undertaken will result in more than 20 ml/day being supplied to various areas in Hammanskraal. The reservoir is anticipated to be operational from February 2025.
Majodina also visited Rooiwaal WWTW, which is currently being expanded and upgraded to ensure an improvement in the quality of water discharged from the plant. The upgraded Rooiwal WWTW will also address water supply challenges experienced in Hammanskraal.
“We are happy about what we have witnessed. There is significant progress on the water projects, particularly on the Klipdrift Package Plant and this signifies government’s commitment to ensure that the people of Hammanskraal get fresh water.
“However, we call on the community to safeguard these infrastructures and keep them safe from being vandalised. They should work close with their ward councillors on issues of water supply to address issues of water leaks in their areas,” Majodina said. – SAnews.gov.za
