By Phenyo Selinda
Pretoria, Gauteng – This weekend, Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina, accompanied by Deputy Minister Sello Seitlholo, will embark on a crucial oversight visit to Hammanskraal and Emfuleni, areas grappling with significant water and sanitation challenges due to inadequate infrastructure. These visits, scheduled from 24 to 25 August 2024, are part of the ministry’s ongoing efforts to accelerate the implementation of water and sanitation projects in areas most affected by service delivery shortfalls.
Addressing Hammanskraal’s Water Crisis
Hammanskraal, a region plagued by long-standing water quality issues, will be the first stop on the minister’s itinerary. The area’s water crisis has been a subject of concern for many years, with residents expressing frustration over the unsafe and often contaminated water supply. To address this, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), through its entity Magalies Water, initiated the Klipdrift Package Plant project. This facility, designed to treat 50 megalitres of water per day, aims to supply clean water to the Temba Water Treatment Works, significantly improving water quality in the region.
In addition to this, Magalies Water is also upgrading the Klipdrift Water Treatment Works, increasing its capacity from 42 to 92 megalitres per day. This upgrade, along with the refurbishment of the Rooiwal Waste Water Treatment Works, is expected to provide a more reliable and safe water supply to Hammanskraal residents .
During her visit on 24 August, Minister Majodina will inspect the progress of the Klipdrift Package Plant and receive updates on its operational readiness. She will also visit the Babelegi Reservoir and the Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Plant to assess ongoing works and ensure that they meet the required standards .
Emfuleni’s Struggle with Sanitation
On 25 August, the oversight visit will shift focus to the Emfuleni Local Municipality, where water and sanitation issues have also been a persistent problem. The Leeuikuil Waste Water Treatment Works, which has been under strain due to inadequate infrastructure, will be a key focus during the visit. Minister Majodina will engage with Rand Water, the entity responsible for water services in the area, to evaluate their intervention efforts and ensure that the community receives the services they desperately need .
The visit to Emfuleni is especially critical given the area’s history of sewage spills and water contamination. These issues have not only affected the local environment but have also posed serious health risks to residents. The ongoing collaboration between the DWS, Magalies Water, and the City of Tshwane is aimed at resolving these challenges and restoring the community’s confidence in their water and sanitation services .
Government’s Commitment to Infrastructure Development
Minister Majodina’s oversight visits are part of a broader commitment by the seventh administration to address the backlog in water and sanitation services across South Africa. In her recent Budget Vote Speech, Majodina emphasized the need for substantial investments in bulk water supply infrastructure and the importance of supporting municipalities in their efforts to improve water reticulation systems .
The ministry has already made significant progress in unlocking challenges that have hindered major water infrastructure projects, such as the R26 billion uMkhomazi Dam and the R42 billion second phase of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project. These projects, along with the upgrades in Hammanskraal and Emfuleni, are part of the government’s strategy to ensure water security and improve the quality of life for all South Africans .
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