SEDIBENG.- The National Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) convened an urgent meeting with the Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) yesterday, Tuesday, following a letter(s) written by ELM Executive Mayor, Sipho Radebe.

The ELM announced that Radebe wrote letters to COGTA and Water and Sanitation (DWS) Ministers concerning the social and economic impact of the 16 days Rand Water shutdown. The letter/s, the ELM said, come after concerns by the prominent companies, higher institutions of learning, schools, clinics, hospitals and residents on the impact the shutdown on their daily operations.

“Consumers are further troubled by whether the municipality has the capacity to meet required volumes of water supply throughout the shutdown,” the ELM said, adding that the meeting deliberated on contents of the letter(s), (and) further opportunity was given to ELM and Midvaal Local Municipality (MLM) to make additional presentations.

“The presentations by both municipalities raised concerns of limited resources and capacity to meet the demand, the negative impact the shutdown will have on communities as well as disruptions of commercial, industrial and other economic activities. The DWS gave a background on the necessity to carry out safety inspections which resulted on the need for the shutdown by Rand Water citing that the shutdown was long overdue. DWS stressed on regulatory requirements to carry out such inspections and risks associated if such work is not done.”

It is said that Rand Water also presented to the meeting that their preparations are well advanced to comply with regulations on carrying out with safety inspections and they only rely on the DWS as their shareholder.

“In their presentation Rand Water stated that the work to isolate ELM and/or bypass Sasolburg reservoir cannot be carried out now due International geopolitical circumstances. This work would have significantly shortened the planned 16 days impact for the shutdown, but it is now beyond Rand Water control.”

The following was concluded as the way forward:

• Rand Water and Department of Water and Sanitation will meet with the Deputy Minister for a briefing and a final determination will be communicated.
• An Integrated Operational Plan is required by all institutions to ensure that all gaps identified during presentations are closed.
• The meeting (also) agreed on a Join Operational Centre to manage different dynamics during the shutdown.