Mystery over Tzaneen pipeline ownership finally solved
After DWS, Greater Tzaneen Municipality and MDM each denied responsibility, an asset register check has confirmed MDM owns the 18km pipeline.
TZANEEN – After months of uncertainty over who owns the Georges Valley pipeline, Mopani District Municipality (MDM) has finally confirmed responsibility for the infrastructure.
The issue came to light during a National Council of Provinces (NCOP) oversight visit to Tzaneen in November last year, when it emerged that the 18km pipeline supplying water from the river to the Georges Valley Waterworks had no officially recognised owner.
Authorities pointed fingers over responsibility
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), which is responsible for raw water, and the Greater Tzaneen Municipality both denied responsibility, while MDM, the water services authority, initially disputed claims that the pipeline had been handed over to it.
At the time, then MDM spokesperson Odas Ngobeni said DWS claimed to have handed over ownership to MDM, but “we have no record of this”.
The issue resurfaced during severe water shortages affecting Aqua Park and surrounding areas last year.
Chamber’s push for answers prompts confirmation
Meanwhile, the Tzaneen Chamber of Commerce, together with other stakeholders, investigated the ongoing supply problems and found that the pipeline had deteriorated significantly and required urgent refurbishment.
After several attempts to establish who was responsible, the chamber formally approached DWS for intervention. Following an assessment, the department confirmed that the Georges Valley pipeline is listed on MDM’s asset register.
The refurbishment of the pipeline and the Tzaneen Wastewater Treatment Works is estimated to cost about R750 million and is expected to be implemented in phases over approximately five years.
The chamber welcomed the confirmation of responsibility but said this was only the first step.
“The condition of this infrastructure has serious implications for residents, businesses, investment and the future economic development of Tzaneen,” the chamber said.
It added that it would continue engaging with the authorities to establish funding arrangements, implementation timelines, the start of construction and measures to safeguard Tzaneen’s water supply during the five-year refurbishment programme.
