Polokwane Municipality responds to DA’s motion over water

POLOKWANE – The Democratic Alliance (DA) tabled a motion containing plans to mitigate the water crisis in the city for debate during the February council meeting, but it was not debated after Speaker of council, Welhemina Modiba announced that the African National Congress (ANC) voted against it, while the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) abstained.

The municipality, however, commented on the demands and a shortened version appears hereunder.

1. All water treatment works and infrastructure be fully capacitated to deliver to their full capacity;

All municipal water sources are functional including the newly completed Seshego Water Treatment Plant.

2. Existing resolutions pertaining to Mankweng be enforced, namely that water smart meters be installed to all properties within 30 days;

Noted for implementation.

3. The credit control policies be enforced justly and equally which would curb excessive water usage in areas receiving unbilled water.

Credit control measures are enforced in all the areas that are eligible for collection.

4. A once-off municipal account rebate of R10 000 be given to residents in areas continually affected by water shortages as a subsidy to purchase storage tanks and pressure pumps;

The municipality has different rebates in the approved policy, but we discourage the use of JoJo tanks and pressure pumps as it also contributes to high consumption and causes imbalance in pressure.

5. An application be developed to monitor water tanker deliveries;

The municipality’s service delivery app is in place.

6. A maintenance programme be developed to investigate non-functional valves;

The team is continually working on investigating and replacement of pipes and valves that are dysfunctional.

7. That water restrictions be implemented until adequate water supply to all areas has been restored;

A resolution to impose restrictions and surcharge penalties to high water consumers is in place and penalties are applied through billing.

8. Penalties be issued to residents who excessively use water;

The municipality imposes restrictions and surcharge penalties to high water consumers and such penalties are applied through billing.

9. That the relevant department be adequately resourced to enable the above recommendation (8) and to adequately investigate and penalise transgressors;

The municipality already has in place a revenue protection team that monitors water consumption, accounts behaviours and also conducts periodic raids and impose penalties on transgressors.

10. That the municipality install temporary communal tanks;

Water tankers are providing water to residents with storages on site and through containers.

11. That the municipality fill the communal tanks once a day or as needed;

There are risks associated with having JoJo tanks in the streets that could be vulnerable to water contamination.

12. That council revisit the moratorium on new development in order to first stabilise water supply before approving further development;

The municipality is working tirelessly to ensure that it remains on course to execute its clear-cut plans.

13. The Sandriver North project be fast-tracked to deliver the additional 18ML of water;

Project at 87% and is anticipated to be completed by September 2025.

14. That a report be submitted to council outlining the extent of faulty smart water meters together with a turnaround strategy within the next 60 days;

The municipality has developed a report on faulty smart meters and a strategy to address the replacement of meters is underway.

15. That the municipality implement a scheduled water supply programme;

The municipality is implementing pressure management through the operation of pressure relief valves and throttling valves.