Question NW1649 to the Minister of Water and Sanitation
23 May 2022 - NW1649
Brink, Mr C to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
Whether he has found that most of the waste water treatment plants and sewage pumping stations in municipalities in the Free State and the North West are either completely non-functional and/or operating at diminished capacity; if not, will he, in collaboration with the relevant departments, undertake an assessment of what total number of the plants and/or stations are functional and operating at full or near full capacity and report its findings to Parliament; if so, what is he, in collaboration with the relevant departments, doing to ensure that (a) existing sewage infrastructure is refurbished and (b) any capital expenditure allocated towards the purpose is not misappropriated?
Reply:
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) revived the Green Drop programme in the 2021/2022 financial year. The Green Drop regulation programme sought to identify and develop the core competencies that, if strengthened, would gradually and sustainably improve the standard of wastewater management in South Africa. The Green Drop programme seeks to induce changes in behaviour of individuals and institutions to facilitate continuous improvement and adoption of best practice management of wastewater networks and treatment systems. The programme evaluates the entire wastewater management services over a one-year audit period. The Green Drop report was released on 1 April 2022, and it can be accessed on the departmental website www.dws.gov.za.
In the Green Drop report, it has been indicated that 64 (FS) and 33 (NW) Wastewater Treatment Systems have been identified to be at critical state in the Free State and Northwest Provinces respectively. The table below provides details systems at critical state in the two provinces. Letters of non-compliance in terms of green drop report audit findings have been sent to respective water services authorities responsible for the systems at critical state, requiring them to submit a detailed corrective action plan to the DWS.
Table of Systems at critical state in Free State and Northwest provinces
|
FREE STATE PROVINCE |
64 |
|
Kopanong LM
|
4 |
|
Fauresmith |
|
|
Gariep Dam |
|
|
Jagersfontein |
|
|
Reddersburg |
|
|
Letsemeng LM
|
2 |
|
Koffiefontein |
|
|
Oppermansgronde |
|
|
Mafube LM
|
5 |
|
Namahadi |
|
|
Villiers/Qalabotjha |
|
|
Frankfort |
|
|
Tweeling |
|
|
Cornelia |
|
|
Maluti-a-Phofung LM
|
7 |
|
Elandsriver |
|
|
Kestell |
|
|
Makwane/Matsegeng |
|
|
Moeding |
|
|
Phuthaditjhaba |
|
|
Tshiame |
|
|
Wilge/Harrismith |
|
|
Mangaung LM
|
6 |
|
BFN - Northern Works |
|
|
BFN-Bloemdustria |
|
|
Soutpan |
|
|
Dewetsdorp |
|
|
Van Stadensrus |
|
|
Wepener |
|
|
Mantsopa LM
|
3 |
|
Excelsior |
|
|
Ladybrand |
|
|
Tweespruit |
|
|
Masilonyana LM
|
3 |
|
Brandfort |
|
|
Theunissen-Masilo |
|
|
Winburg |
|
|
Matjhabeng LM
|
10 |
|
Allanridge |
|
|
Hennenman |
|
|
Mmamahabane |
|
|
Odendaalsrus |
|
|
Phomolong |
|
|
Thabong |
|
|
Theronia |
|
|
Ventersburg |
|
|
Virginia |
|
|
Witpan |
|
|
Mohokare LM
|
3 |
|
Rouxville |
|
|
Smithfield |
|
|
Zastron |
|
|
Nala LM
|
3 |
|
Bothaville |
|
|
Wesselsbron |
|
|
Monyakeng |
|
|
Ngwathe LM
|
5 |
|
Parys |
|
|
Vredefort |
|
|
Koppies |
|
|
Heilbron |
|
|
Edenville |
|
|
Nketoana LM
|
1 |
|
Lindley/Ntha |
|
|
Phumulela LM
|
3 |
|
Vrede |
|
|
Warden |
|
|
Memel |
|
|
Setsoto LM
|
3 |
|
Ficksburg |
|
|
Clocolan |
|
|
Marquard New |
|
|
Tswelopele LM
|
1 |
|
Hoopstad |
|
|
Moqhaka LM
|
3 |
|
Kroonstad |
|
|
Steynsrus |
|
|
Viljoenskroon |
|
|
Metsimaholo LM
|
2 |
|
Deneysville-Refengkgotso |
|
|
Oranjeville |
|
NORTHWEST PROVINCE |
33 |
|
Dr Ruth Mompati DM |
8 |
|
Naledi LM |
Vryburg |
|
Mamusa LM |
Schweizer Reneke |
|
Naledi LM |
Stella |
|
Greater Taung LM
|
Taung Hospital |
|
Taung Station |
|
|
Diplankeni/Mogogong |
|
|
Maganeng/Pudimoe |
|
|
Reivilo |
|
|
Kgetleng River LM
|
4 |
|
Koster AS |
|
|
Swartruggens |
|
|
Koster Ponds |
|
|
Mazista |
|
|
Madibeng LM
|
3 |
|
Mothotlung |
|
|
Eagles Landing |
|
|
Sunway |
|
|
Maquassi Hills LM
|
2 |
|
Leeudoringstad |
|
|
Wolmaranstad |
|
|
Moretele LM
|
1 |
|
Swartdam |
|
|
Moses Kotane LM
|
2 |
|
Mogwase |
|
|
Madikwe |
|
|
Ngaka Modiri Molema DM |
13 |
|
Ditsobotla LM
|
Coligny |
|
Lichtenburg |
|
|
Itsoseng |
|
|
Mafikeng LM
|
Mahikeng |
|
Mmabatho |
|
|
Ramoshere Moilwa LM
|
Lehurutshe-Welbedacht |
|
Zeerust |
|
|
Tswaing LM
|
Delareyville |
|
Sannieshof |
|
|
Ottosdal |
|
|
Atamelang |
|
|
Groot Marico |
|
|
Itekeng Ponds |
a) The department will from the financial year 2022/2023 onwards, through the Water Service Infrastructure Grant (WSIG) prioritise the approval of business plans from municipalities designed to refurbish and upgrade the diminishing wastewater treatment works. It should be noted that the department provides funding to municipalities for upgrading and refurbishing wastewater treatment works through the Water Service Infrastructure Grant and Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG) on an ongoing basis. The department will continue supporting municipalities in collaboration with CoGTA, to ensure that the wastewater treatment works are complaint with the required standard in line with the green drop requirements.
b) The department allocates grants in line with the approved business plans of WSAs. The business plans are followed by supporting documentations such as cashflows and project plans documents. The department further allocates funds in terms of direct transfers and indirect transfers to municipalities. The department will monitor the expenditure of the grants to ensure that funds are not misappropriated. The department will further enforce Division of Revenue Act to ensure that the grant funding is spent in line with the requirements of the Act. Where there is misappropriation, required actions will be taken in line with the Act itself.
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