The Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, Sello Seitlholo, led an oversight visit at the Meyerton Wastewater Treatment Works on April 14.

Seitlholo was accompanied by Sedibeng District municipality Mayor Lerato Maloka, Midvaal Local Municipality Mayor Peter Teixeira, Chief Executive Officer of Rand Water Sipho Mosai, as well as the Chairperson of the Vaal-Orange Catchment Management Agency Desmond Fransman.

The Wastewater Treatment Works is currently undergoing significant upgrades valued at R220m. The upgrades are aimed at assisting the municipality in complying with effluent discharge standards and improving sanitation services to residents.

Regarding the purpose of his visit, Seitlholo said he wanted to review ongoing and planned interventions the department is implementing through the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant. The visit further aimed to assess progress on the project’s upgrade and expansion, which resumed in 2017, and to engage with key stakeholders.

During the visit, Seitlholo raised concerns over delays in the project, warning that ongoing failures in wastewater management will threaten the municipality’s water resources, locally and nationally.
However, the project’s implementing agent, Rand Water, has committed to completing the project within the current financial year.

The utility attributed delays to contractor cash-flow constraints, payment challenges, and persistent rainfall. It said it has since implemented recovery measures, including resolving payment issues, re-engaging subcontractors, and accelerating construction.Seitlholo emphasised the importance of protecting water as part of the entire water system.

“If we do not take care of the value chain, how are we going to secure the quality at the end of it? How are we going to give people clean drinking water?” the Deputy Minister said.

He stressed that safeguarding rivers, tributaries, and dams from pollution is essential to ensuring a safe water supply, warning that the discharge of untreated sewage continues to threaten water quality.
Seitlholo added that the completion of upgrades will significantly improve sanitation services for communities and surrounding industries.

Mayor Teixeira thanked Deputy Minister Seitlholo for visiting Midvaal to provide an update on the project, citing that his support will go a long way in strengthening infrastructure and ensuring sufficient sewer capacity to accommodate new settlements.