By Thapelo Molefe
After years of persistent sewage pollution and decaying water infrastructure, Emfuleni Local Municipality is finally witnessing a turnaround as a result of an intervention by the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina.
For years, residents in Emfuleni have endured raw sewage flowing through streets and backyards due to collapsed infrastructure and failed municipal interventions.
Previous attempts including efforts by the Ekurhuleni Water Care Company and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) failed to halt the crisis.
According to the Department of Water and Sanitation, the situation in the embattled municipality has significantly improved due to a multi-billion rand, multi-agency effort led by the Department.
The Department invoked Section 63 of the Water Services Act in 2021 after several failed attempts to resolve the crisis.
Rand Water was appointed as the implementing agent to carry out the intervention.
The Department reported that over R7.6 billion has been allocated for the seven-year initiative, which includes major repairs and upgrades to Emfuleni’s collapsing sewage infrastructure.
So far, more than 50 collapsed sewer lines have been replaced, four major pump stations refurbished and multiple pipeline upgrades completed.
“Incidents of sewage spillages into communities have been drastically reduced. This is a direct result of Minister Majodina’s decisive leadership and intergovernmental cooperation,” said the ministerial spokesperson Cornelius Monama this week.
Key projects completed included the replacement and upgrading of the main sewer pipeline from Rothdene Pump Station to Meyerton Waste Water Treatment Works, as well as critical connections between Pump Stations 8, 2 and the Leeukuil WWTW.
A third pipeline upgrade to Leeukuil is 90% complete.
The refurbishment of the Leeukuil and Rietspruit Waste Water Treatment Works has been finalised, while the Sebokeng WWTW which is the largest in the municipality, is 50% complete.
Capacity at Sebokeng has already been expanded by 50 ML/day, bringing its total to 150 ML/day.
Designs have been completed for further upgrades at Sebokeng, Rietspruit and Leeukuil, with work already underway or expected to begin shortly.
“The department has registered significant progress following this intervention,” Monama said.
“This includes unblocking of blocked sewer lines, replacing collapsed sewer pipelines, refurbishment of pumpstations and existing wastewater treatment works, and assisting the municipality with tools of trade, including vehicles, tools and security.”
The Department acknowledged that although the quality of effluent discharged into the Vaal River has improved, full resolution of the crisis requires completion of the treatment plant upgrades to meet increasing sewage volumes caused by decades of population growth.
A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) is also being set up to act as the official water services provider in Emfuleni.
The Department, Rand Water, and Emfuleni Local Municipality are currently engaging National Treasury for the necessary financial approvals.
“The department is satisfied that these interventions are delivering the desired results. We can boldly state, without any fear of contradiction, that, as a result of Minister’s decisive intervention, incidents of sewage spillages into the community in Emfuleni have been drastically reduced,” Monama said.
However, challenges remain.
While the intervention has recorded progress, the Department emphasised that threats such as vandalism, infrastructure theft and water losses continue to undermine efforts.
Community support and vigilance remain critical, the department stated.
Rand Water is also providing municipal staff training and supplying vehicles and tools for the ongoing maintenance work.
The Department has reaffirmed its commitment to funding the completion of wastewater treatment upgrades and said the improvements would unlock previously stalled housing and commercial developments in the area.
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