Emfuleni: The Emfuleni Local Municipality is making substantial strides in resolving its long-standing water and sanitation challenges, following decisive intervention by the Department of Water and Sanitation. The Vaal River System and surrounding communities have for years suffered from the persistent problem of severe sewage pollution and spillages.
According to South African Government News Agency, despite several interventions by the Ekurhuleni Water Care Company (ERWAT) and the South African National Defence Force, the problem persisted. In response, the Department of Water and Sanitation invoked Section 63 of the Water Services Act in 2021 and appointed Rand Water as its implementing agent, to address the situation.
The department reported significant milestones achieved through this intervention. These include unblocking and replacing collapsed sewer lines, refurbishing pump stations and existing wastewater treatment works, and assisting the municipality with essential operational tools of trade, such as vehicles and security.
The remaining work focuses on upgrading the capacity of existing Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW), which are struggling to handle increased sewage due to population growth. The department credited strong intergovernmental relations, including the Gauteng Provincial Government, Rand Water, and Emfuleni Local Municipality, for the progress.
The total estimated cost of the intervention is R7.6 billion over a seven-year period, including the completion of major capital works. The project scope includes upgrading four wastewater treatment facilities: Rietspruit, Leeukuil, Sebokeng, and Meyerton, with an estimated completion time of three to five years.
Rand Water has been assisting the municipality with staff training and the procurement of vehicles and equipment for maintenance work. The refurbishment of four pump stations and the replacement of 50 collapsed sewer lines have been completed.
Major projects completed include the replacement and upgrade of the main sewer pipeline from Rothdene pump station to Meyerton Waste Water Treatment Works and from pumpstation eight to pumpstation two. A third project to replace the rising main sewer pipeline from pumpstation two to Leeukruil Waste Water Treatment Works is 90% complete, significantly reducing sewage spillages into the Emfuleni community.
The department noted improvements in the effluent quality from the Waste Water Treatment Works into the Vaal River. However, these improvements are limited by the current overload of existing WWTW, which will only be fully addressed once the facilities’ capacity is upgraded.
Efforts are underway to increase the capacity of wastewater treatment works. The Sebokeng Waste Water Treatment Works capacity has been increased by 50 ML per day to 150 ML per day, with designs completed for an additional 50 ML upgrade. Designs to increase the Rietspruit WWTW capacity by 50 ML/day are completed, and a contractor is on-site. Similarly, designs to enhance the Leeukuil WWTW capacity by 15 ML/day are ready, with work set to commence soon.
Work continues to increase the Meyerton Waste Water Treatment Works capacity from 10 ML per day to 25 ML/day. A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) is being established to serve as a dedicated Water Service Provider (WSP) in the municipality, aiming to create a professionally managed utility responsible for water and sanitation services in Emfuleni.
Discussions with National Treasury are ongoing to obtain necessary approvals for the SPV under the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA). The department expressed satisfaction with the interventions, noting a drastic reduction in sewage spillages in Emfuleni due to the Minister’s decisive actions.
The department emphasized the need for ongoing upgrades to WWTW capacity to fully eliminate the problem and committed to funding Rand Water for completing these upgrades. It also highlighted the importance of combating vandalism, theft of infrastructure, and addressing non-revenue water issues. The positive role of communities and other sectors, through the political steering committee, is acknowledged as efforts intensify to resolve water and sewage challenges in the area.