Restoration of failing Percy Stewart plant shows promising progress

Mogale City Local Municipality (MCLM) has now reached the ninth month of its ongoing efforts to restore and upgrade the long-neglected Percy Stewart Wastewater Treatment Works. Years of poor maintenance, ageing infrastructure and deliberate vandalism had left the plant non-functional, but visible, measurable progress is now being made.

According to MCLM communications officer Refilwe Mahlangu, in addition to the technical progress achieved, the municipality reported that eight workers were recruited, trained and employed during this phase of the project.

“This not only contributed to advancing the project timeline but also supported skills development and local job creation. With vandalism at the heart of the challenges faced at the plant, the perimeter of the facility is now fully secured. The outdated fence has been replaced with a new welded wire mesh barrier, providing both enhanced security and improved visibility. This follows the installation of CCTV cameras during the previous phase, further strengthening site surveillance and protection,” said Mahlangu.

She added that the focus of this phase has been on restoring the core operational capacity of the plant, and the following progress can now be reported:

1. Primary settlement tanks
Refurbishment of two settlement tanks was completed, including the rotating bridge and scum removal systems. These components are now fully operational and will play a key role in removing suspended solids, a critical first step after the headworks in the wastewater treatment process.

2. Electrical infrastructure replacement
Following extensive vandalism, a new Motor Control Centre and Medium Voltage switchgear have been procured and installed. These systems are essential for distributing electricity to key operational components, including those in the Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) system. In addition, the aerators that had mechanical failures have been refurbished and are now fully functional.

3. Unblocking and pipework reinstatement
The previously non-operational Return Activated Sludge/ Waste Activated Sludge pump house has been fully commissioned and automated. This enables effective management of sludge flow throughout the plant. The de-gritter system, which had corroded and leaked pipework, has been replaced with a new, fully sealed unit.

4. Bioremediation and water quality
Bioremediation remains an ongoing process, but early results show that water quality has significantly improved. The improvement is visibly noticeable, with the water now appearing much clearer and the previously unpleasant odour no longer present. While the water has not yet fully met the Water Use License parameters, a substantial positive shift has been achieved.

5. Cleaning and reinstatement of process structures
Several treatment structures have been cleaned and restored to working conditions:
• The grit removal system has been refurbished
• The biological treatment system has been reinstated
• The aerobic digester, which was previously clogged with sludge and had no capacity, has been completely dislodged
• The new BNR clarifiers, which were previously non-functional and coated with surface scum, have been dislodged and are now operational

”We assure residents and stakeholders that our dedication to revitalising the city’s treatment works will continue, with every effort focused on delivering lasting improvements,” Refilwe said.