After two decades of water challenges in Hammanskraal, the Department of Water and Sanitation has announced the successful completion of the first phase of the water treatment project, undertaken by Magalies Water and the City of Tshwane.
The project features an advanced facility equipped with four package plants, designed to ensure the supply of clean water to Hammanskraal.
According to water and sanitation spokesperson Cornelius Monama, visible strides have been made to deliver potable water.
“These include flushing the reticulation system, optimizing the entire network, and monitoring water quality to meet SANS 241 standards,” said Monama.
He said that the completion of the first phase marks a significant achievement, enabling the supply of 12.5 megalitres per day (ML/d) of treated water to wards 49, 73, 74, and 75, which encompass areas such as Mandela Village, Marokolong, Ramotse, Kekana Gardens, and Babelegi Industrial.
Monama added that Magalies Water and the City of Tshwane have recently inspected and purged the reticulation system, previously supplied by the Temba Water Works, now using water from the Klipdrift Package Plant.
“This inspection aimed to rehabilitate and disinfect the water system, followed by frequent monitoring, which has shown significant improvements in water quality,” he explained.
The Klipdrift Package Plant currently supplies 12.5 ML/d of water, meeting South Africa’s minimum drinking water standards.
In June 2023, following a cholera outbreak that claimed approximately 40 lives, President Cyril Ramaphosa led a delegation to the Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Works in Hammanskraal.
The outbreak underscored longstanding water and sanitation challenges, prompting government intervention.
The government announced plans to rehabilitate and upgrade the Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Works, a critical step to address sewage pollution in the Apies River.
This pollution had hindered the downstream water treatment works’ ability to provide potable water.
As an interim measure, the government committed to constructing additional water treatment capacity at the Klipdrift Water Treatment Works.
A R750 million portable water treatment plant was commissioned, with four modules set to provide 50 million litres of treated water per day once completed.
The first module, delayed by hard rock ground conditions, was completed in October 2024, supplying 12.5 ML/d of potable water to identified areas.
The remaining modules are scheduled for completion in March, April, and June 2025, after which all areas of Hammanskraal will receive piped water.
In the interim, areas not yet connected to the network continue to receive clean water through tankers, sourced from Magalies Water and Rand Water pipelines.
Initial timelines for water delivery were impacted by electricity supply disruptions and pump malfunctions.
“These issues have since been resolved, with Eskom providing an alternative power line and Magalies Water installing replacement pumps. The City of Tshwane has also flushed and tested the reticulation system, though minor turbidity remains,” water and sanitation department said.
“Residents will be notified once the water is safe for consumption. The City is auditing and replacing faulty water meters to ensure accurate billing once clean drinking water is delivered. The City has also accelerated the registration of indigent residents to provide financial assistance where needed.”
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