Sewer scheme: Minister Senzo Mchunu to assess progress on Sedibeng project

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Water and sanitation minister Senzo Mchunu is expected conduct an oversight visit to assess the progress made at Sedibeng sewer scheme project on Tuesday.

The visit will also include the Vaal River system interventions in Emfuleni and Midvaal local municipalities within Sedibeng region.

According to Wisane Mavasa, the departmental spokesperson, this ministerial working visit seeks to assess progress on the interventions, that are being implemented by Rand Water, that will ensure waste water systems function optimally and ultimately put to an end the protracted pollution at Vaal River and its tributaries.

“The interventions include increasing the capacity of the wastewater treatment plants to meet future demands; optimise the operation of critical pump stations and replace the rising mains of those critical pump stations; pipeline repairs and unblocking key bulk mains, and the refurbishment of old modules of the existing wastewater treatment plants; upgrading the current capacity management of the Emfuleni local municipality (ELM) and safeguarding the infrastructure,” she explained.

Sites to be visited include pump stations, rising mains and gravity mains, pipelines and waste
water treatment works that are being refurbished and upgraded.

Mavasa added; “In 2021, minister Mchunu invoked and placed ELM under Section 63 of the Water Services Act and took over water and sanitation services.

Sewer spillages in communities

“This came after municipalities in question were unable to manage its water and sanitation services which resulted in sewer spillages in communities and into the Vaal River and ultimately polluting raw water source.

“The challenges resulted in water and sanitation service delivery challenges which are having an adverse effect on both social and economic development in the region”.

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Minister Mchunu established a political stakeholder committee of the project and appointed deputy minister, David Mahlobo to chair the committee with a view of keeping all stakeholders abreast of progress. Rand Water was appointed as the Implementing agent.