Question NW2863 to the Minister of Water and Sanitation
10 October 2023 - NW2863
Marais, Ms P to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
What time frames have been put in place to repair the sewerage plants in Mangaung as they are still not fixed, despite his previous commitments to have them repaired within three months?
Reply:
The response for NA 2230 previously submitted to the National Assembly, was specifically in relation to repairs to the Sterkwater Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW) and not all the WWTWs in the Mangaung Metro Municipality (MMM).
The municipality has indicated that although the programme to restore the Sterkwater WWTW back to functionality is behind schedule, the following progress has been made:
- The municipality is using security cameras and armed response and managed to arrest the crippling cable theft.
- The municipality has started primary treatment of sewers such as mechanical screens and the screw pumps.
- Electric cables have been ordered and will be installed upon arrival. The municipality will begin testing all the stagnant equipment that needs to be repaired. The secondary treatment is affected in the main by this.
The MMM has also reported that instability at senior management level (position of Chief Financial Officer and City Manager) is also contributing to delays in implementation of some of the projects.
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) issued a Notice for intention to issue Directive in terms of Section 19(3) of the National Water Act, in July 2023 and will proceed to issue a Directive due to the fact that the Sterkwater WWTW has not been restored to functionality and sewer spillages continue to pollute the environment.
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