By Thobeka Makume
The City of Tshwane is once again facing a critical water crisis as unhealthy reservoir levels have prompted warnings of potential service disruptions, particularly for residents in Hammanskraal. According to Lindela Mashigo, the city’s spokesperson, ongoing challenges in water supply management have led bulk water supplier Magalies Water to implement a rotational supply schedule. This approach aims to stabilise reservoir levels, ensuring that communities receive access to water despite the pressing supply issues.
Hammanskraal, a community long affected by water supply and quality concerns, has been significantly impacted. Under the new plan, Magalies Water will prioritise the Moretele area during the day, while Babelegi, which includes parts of Hammanskraal, will receive water in the evening. Mashigo emphasised that the situation is being closely monitored, with water conservation measures urged to help prevent further strain on the system.
Ongoing Struggles for Hammanskraal Residents
Hammanskraal has faced a water crisis for more than a decade, compounded by issues at the Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Plant, which has affected the quality and reliability of water supplied to the community. In recent years, water supply issues have escalated, leading to growing frustration among residents, many of whom are dependent on tanker deliveries. Mashigo confirmed that tanker services have been in place for the past two years, providing temporary relief to communities heavily reliant on this system.
While specific reservoir levels are not being disclosed for security reasons, the city’s ongoing challenges reflect a pressing need for sustainable solutions. “For the past two years, there has been tanker water delivering to Hammanskraal-affected communities,” Mashigo stated, further urging residents to use water sparingly to help stabilise the situation.
A Closer Look at Magalies Water’s Rotational Supply Plan
The rotational water supply schedule introduced by Magalies Water prioritises the Moretele area during the day, with Babelegi receiving water at night. This strategy aims to manage limited resources effectively and prevent further depletion of reservoirs. Once reservoir levels stabilise, the system will revert to automatic pumping, ensuring a continuous flow of water to the affected towers and reducing the need for manual intervention.
Magalies Water’s approach reflects a careful balance between demand and availability, as it seeks to serve multiple communities affected by the supply shortage. “The system will resume normal operations, with automatic pumping of water to the tower,” said a spokesperson from Magalies Water, providing a glimmer of hope for residents awaiting a return to reliable water access.
Long-Standing Issues and Recent Developments
Hammanskraal’s water crisis is far from new; the community has been grappling with water challenges since the early 2000s. The situation reached a critical point in 2023 when a cholera outbreak claimed lives in the area, drawing nationwide attention to the water quality and sanitation issues at the Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Plant. The outbreak underscored the urgent need for infrastructural improvements and highlighted the long-standing neglect that has plagued Hammanskraal.
In response, the City of Tshwane launched several initiatives aimed at addressing the root causes of the water crisis, including efforts to upgrade the Rooiwal plant and collaborate with Magalies Water to enhance water distribution systems. However, the ongoing supply issues indicate that these efforts have yet to achieve sustainable results.
The Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Plant: A Key Factor in Hammanskraal’s Water Woes
One of the primary factors contributing to Hammanskraal’s water crisis is the state of the Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Plant, which has struggled with insufficient capacity and ageing infrastructure. The plant’s failure to treat wastewater effectively has resulted in contaminants entering the local water supply, compromising both quality and safety.
Upgrades to the Rooiwal plant began following the 2023 cholera outbreak, with the city committing to a multi-phase improvement plan. The project aims to increase treatment capacity, upgrade outdated facilities, and reduce contamination levels in the water supplied to Hammanskraal. However, the lengthy timeline for these upgrades has left residents in a precarious situation, as they await meaningful improvements to the water supply.
Efforts to Provide Relief Amid the Crisis
Recognising the urgent need for interim solutions, the City of Tshwane and Magalies Water have collaborated to deliver clean drinking water to Hammanskraal through alternative means. The deployment of tanker water services has been one such measure, offering temporary relief to residents facing intermittent supply. Additionally, the city has worked to improve infrastructure in other ways, such as implementing water meter audits and replacements to ensure accurate billing and monitoring of water usage.
In August 2024, a comprehensive audit of water meters across 37,620 households in Hammanskraal revealed that 14,004 meters were in need of replacement. The city has since initiated a programme to replace these faulty meters, aiming to ensure that residents receive accurate billing and that water use can be tracked more effectively. This move is part of a broader effort to manage resources responsibly and improve accountability.
Community Involvement and Ongoing Engagement
The City of Tshwane has made efforts to keep Hammanskraal residents informed about the status of water supply projects and the challenges involved. In August, city officials held a community meeting, or imbizo, where they provided updates on infrastructure improvements and gathered feedback from residents. The meeting served as a platform for open dialogue, enabling residents to voice their concerns and gain a clearer understanding of the city’s efforts.
These community engagements are crucial in building trust between residents and local authorities, fostering transparency, and providing a space for addressing grievances. For many residents, the water crisis is not only a matter of convenience but a critical health and safety concern, underscoring the importance of ongoing communication from city officials.
Water Conservation as a Collective Responsibility
In light of the strained reservoir levels, the City of Tshwane is urging all residents to prioritise water conservation. Simple actions such as limiting shower times, repairing leaks, and avoiding unnecessary water use can collectively help stabilise reservoir levels. The city’s call for conservation reflects the reality of the current water shortage and the importance of managing resources effectively.
“We are appealing to all Tshwane residents to save water where they can,” Mashigo emphasised. “Even small steps can make a difference and help us stabilise reservoir levels, ensuring that everyone has access to water during this challenging time.”
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