Question NW4118 to the Minister of Water and Sanitation
17 December 2015 - NW4118
Basson, Mr LJ to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
(1)Whether, with reference to the non-functionality of the wastewater treatment plant in Bela-Bela in Limpopo, she took any steps to intervene in this situation; if not, (a) why not and (b) what steps will her department take to prevent the continued release of 90 litres of untreated wastewater per second; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether she intends to upgrade the specified plant in the future; if not, why not; if so, (a) when and (b) what are the relevant details; (3) what is the current capacity of the specified plant?
Reply:
(1)(a) Bela-Bela Waste Water Treatment Plant in Limpopo is installed with three Biofilters, two are fully functional and one is not in working order due to a faulty pump. This process is followed by two humus tanks, both are operational however there is a standby pump that is faulty, thus reducing standby capacity of the plant should the pump in duty fail. The two anaerobic digesters installed are both blocked and non-functional.
(1)(b) The municipality has appointed a service provider to maintain the non-functional components of the waste water treatment plant and the contractor is on site and is anticipated to complete work by end of February 2016.
(2)(a) Yes the plant will be upgraded (b) the municipality has developed a Business Plan to source funding under Accelerated Community Infrastructure Programme (ACIP) for the upgrade of the plant. The Business Plan is still under evaluation.
(3) The capacity of Bela-Bela Waste Water Treatment Plant is 5 mega litres /day.
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