Percy Steward plant puzzle a priority – municipality
Mogale City Local Municipality said that pollution in the Cradle of Humankind coming from the Percy Steward Waste Water Treatment Works has been receiving the attention it needs.
The Krugersdorp News recently reported that businesses and residents in the Cradle of Humankind are suffering due to pollution coming from the Percy Steward Waste Water Treatment Works (PSWWTW). This is also putting the Cradle’s World Heritage site status in jeopardy.
After speaking to local activists and residents from the area, Mogale City Local Municipality (MCLM), which is in charge of the management of the wastewater plant, has responded.
In their statement, MCLM said they have received negative media coverage that included the alleged embezzlement of a R200 million subsidy from the national government to restore the treatment plant and the destructive impacts of an inadequately functioning plant causing spillage of water into one of the river systems entering the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site (COH WHS) – thus affecting the pristine nature of the Unesco listed site of global significance.
The statement said that the municipality’s water services wanted to give clarity.
“Indeed, in assisting the municipality with its water challenges, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) allocated R200m to MCLM for the required repairs, upgrades, and maintenance of three wastewater treatment plants, ie, Flip Human, Magaliesberg and PSWWTW and connecting water infrastructure. This was allocated from 2019 and for use commencing in the 2020/ 21 financial year for the work.”
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The statement said the funds were used on these treatment plants and other water infrastructure projects like replacing aged water pipelines, extending bulk water lines, connecting rural communities and more.
The money was spent as follows:
• 2020 to 2021 the budget was R42 200 000 and R42 200 000 was spent
• 2021 to 2022 the budget was R55 000 000 and R48 137 533 was spent
• 2022 to 2023 the budget was R45 160 000 and R48 748 261 was spent
• 2023 to 2024 the budget was R46 782 000 and R0 was spent
This brings the total budgeted to R189 142 000 and R 139 085 794 was spent.
2023/ 24
• R46 782 000 was budgeted for the Flip Human plant for 2023/ 24
2022/23
• The budget for supplying rural areas with water was R10 160 000 after the adjusted budget of R20 091 423 was spent
• The budget for refurbishing Percy Steward was R10 500 000 after the adjusted budget of R6 784 971 was spent
• The budget for refurbishing Magaliesburg was R8 500 000 after the adjusted budget R8 500 000 was spent
• The budget for refurbishing Flip Human was R16 000 000 after the adjusted budget of R13 371 867 was spent
2021/22
• The budget for refurbishing Percy Steward was R20 000 000 after the adjusted budget of R20 000 000 was spent
• The budget for the construction of a water pipeline and installation for communal standpipes in Zwartkops, Hekpoort, Rietfontein, and Talton was R15 000 000 and R16 838 216 was spent
• The budget for the replacement of aged water pipelines was R10 000 000 and R6 391 578 was spent
• The budget for the refurbishment and upgrade of the Magaliesburg bulk water pipeline from 75mm to 110mm (6.7km) and yard water connections in Tarlton was R10 000 000 and R4 907 739 was spent
2020/21
• The budget for the construction of a water pipeline and installation of communal standpipes in Zwartkops, Hekkpoort, Rietfontein, and Talton was R25 200 000 and R26 479 927 was spent
• The budget for the extension of bulk water lines in Hekpoort Phase 1 was R17 000 000 and R17 000 000 was spent
• Percy Stewart Waste Water Treatment Plant
The plant was built in the 1950s and generated water from Krugersdorp, Noordheuwel, Quellerie Park and Munsieville as well as effluent from the industrial development adjacent to the Krugersdorp airfield and discharges into the Bloubankspruit River.
“Over the years, minor refurbishments and upgrades were done on the plant however, the age of the infrastructure and the city’s growing population and insufficient budget to maintain infrastructure has adversely affected work at the plant.”
They said that even though Percy Steward is currently not operating at full capacity, which can contribute to the water issues, the plant is in a fair state of operation.
“This has also been confirmed by the past year’s Green Drop water assessment, which is as per the latest assessment, sitting at 65%. In the past, it had been fluctuating between 61 to 73% which can partly be attributed to the fact that the plant was operating at 50–60% of its design capacity.”
• Also read: Are we losing our World Heritage Site status at Cradle of Humankind due to pollution?
MCLM stated that they have taken on a phased approach to refurbish the plant.
For phase 1, R20m was allocated and they supplied, installed, and commissioned three floating aerators and two surface aerators. They replaced non-functioning mixers in the new and old reactor, refurbished the standby power generator, and supplied and installed mixing equipment for anaerobic digester number three.
“Phase 1 was completed and commissioned contributing to continuous efforts to meet effluent standards.”
The budget for Phase 2 was R15m and included the refurbishment of old non-functional raw sludge pump station motor control centre panels, refurbishment of mixing equipment for anaerobic digester number four, desludging of the primary settling tank, and refurbishing of the rotating bridge on tank number 8. It also included refurbishing of the primary settlement tank number 7 scum removal system. they installed submersible pumps in the chlorine tank and added a new irrigation pump station.
“The plant is, however, not in a dire state as reported by television productions. Operations have been improving daily during the past months and phased work done by the appointed maintenance contractor has improved levels of stability on the functional status of the plant.”
• Manhole plant discharging waste into Percy Steward
An assessment showed that the effluent from the dumping site mostly comes from chemical toilets and septic tank collection points.
“Where in some cases industrial effluent is sucked into the tankers as seen through routine sample analysis tests conducted.”
They also noticed that the proximity of the dumping site was a contributing factor to the pollution of the Blougatspruit. The municipality worked with the Cradle of Humankind Association to enclose the facility. A concrete slab was poured and security guards and staff monitor that only trucks with permits are allowed to discharge waste.
“Assigned municipal workers also take random samples from the dumper trucks for laboratory testing and the general required cleaning at the manhole.”
• Municipal staff efficiency
The municipality is in the process of recruiting and appointing water service staff in critical positions as many of the posts were left vacant due to resignations, death and employees reaching retirement age.
“We anticipate that the newly appointed incumbents will commence work from November 1.”
• Spillage into the COH WHS
Monitoring and testing downstream from Percy Steward is a national government competence as the Blougatspruit River merges with other streams.
“To address this issue, Mogale City is working closely with stakeholders such as the Cradle of Humankind Association and has recently agreed with Sibanye Gold Mining Group.”
The mining group will assist with short, medium and long-term maintenance and upgrading projects, which will improve operations and once sufficient funding for resources to appoint service providers who will execute work at the plant, have been confirmed.
