Question NW3205 to the Minister of Water and Sanitation
07 November 2023 - NW3205
Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
(1)With reference to the incomplete Vlakfontein site that is part of efforts by Rand Water to augment its water storage, which broke ground on 12 May 2020 and was expected to be completed on 25 April 2023, on what date will the project be completed; (2) with reference to the Zuikerbosch Water Treatment facility which is continuously being affected by power failure, with areas that receive water from Vlakfontein reservoir having had very low pressure and/or no water, what are the reasons for the lack of communication and/or feedback on the specified water outages and/or restrictions; (3) what are the reasons that the (a) water shortages experienced in the specified areas continue and (b) reservoir is never above 50% capacity; (4) what are the reasons that the Vlakfontein 3 reservoir has not been brought online?
Reply:
1. The Vlakfontein Reservoir was substantially completed on the 31 March 2023. Subsequently, it had to be filled to full capacity to test for leaks and to allow for backfilling around the reservoir which was completed on the 20 September 2023. The reservoir was then commissioned on the 21 September 2023 for normal operations.
2. Two major water outages affected the Mapleton System supply (which supplies Vlakfontein) because of power failures at Zuikerbosch Water Treatment Plant. These water outages were promptly communicated to customers through various media platforms. Unfortunately, power failures cannot be communicated in advance as they are not planned. The system has however experienced multiple and extended power failures at Mapleton Pumping Station which receives power from Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality. Rand Water is in the process of installing generators at Mapleton Pumping Station which will be used as alternative power supply. The full commissioning of the generators is planned for first quarter of 2024.
3. There are municipal areas that are dependent on Rand Water’s reservoir levels being high. These areas will then get affected if reservoir levels are lower. Reservoir levels depends on consumption downstream as well as consistent pumping/supply. Besides failures experienced at Zuikerbosch and Mapleton Pumping Station; the municipalities have also been consuming more than what was allocated to them and as a result depleting the reservoir storages. Ideally, municipalities are also expected to have booster pumping stations to counteract reliance on higher Rand Water reservoir levels.
4. Please refer to the answer provided under Question 1.
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