The Tshwane Metro has reaffirmed its commitment to restoring the Rietvlei Water Purification Plant and the Rietvlei Nature Reserve borehole system.

According to the metro, these two key components of the capital’s water network are currently crippled by pollution, vandalism, and infrastructure damage.

Eugene Modise, Deputy Mayor and MMC for Finance, said the metro is prioritising long-term water security as it confronts escalating challenges impacting both supply and operational costs.

“The Rietvlei Water Purification Plant, situated within the Rietvlei Nature Reserve, was shut down temporarily after rising levels of upstream sewerage pollution made operations unsafe.”

Modise said the metro is working to stabilise and modernise the facility as soon as possible.

“Our commitment is to our residents first. We are acting with urgency to restore [both].

“Every step we take is guided by the goal of delivering clean, safe, and sustainable water to the people of Tshwane while protecting the natural heritage of the Rietvlei Nature Reserve,” Modise said.

The situation is worsened by extensive vandalism at the Rietvlei borehole system, where more than 90% of electrical cabling has been stolen, pumps and motors have been damaged, and mini substations have been stripped.

Modise said with no on-site security in place, the network is offline, removing an important daily contribution of 8 megalitres of water that normally helps stabilise supply to the Garsfontein Reservoir.

“The shutdown has forced Tshwane to rely far more heavily on Rand Water, which currently charges R13.31 per kilolitre under the 2025 tariff schedule.”

According to Modise, this increased dependence is adding about R3.19-million per month to the metro’s operational costs.

To counter these pressures and secure a sustainable water future, the metro has announced a comprehensive recovery and modernisation plan.

Modise said key interventions include upgrading purification technology, improving automation, restoring on-site security, installing smart surveillance and tamper-resistant equipment, and implementing real-time pollution and leak monitoring systems.

“The plan also aims to integrate renewable energy to improve resilience against vandalism and power disruptions.”

He said partnerships with environmental bodies, community stakeholders, and local industries would form a core part of the turnaround strategy to ensure accountability, transparency, and long-term protection of the reserve.

He added that while the current pressures are significant, the restoration of the purification plant and boreholes will not only stabilise water supply but also create a more resilient and modernised system capable of supporting Pretoria’s growing population.

“Through innovation, collaboration, and strong community partnerships, we aim to turn these challenges into a story of renewal and resilience,” Modise said.

The metro said it remains committed to prioritising residents, restoring essential infrastructure, and protecting natural resources to ensure a sustainable water future for generations to come.

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