DWS is strengthening its regulatory function against water polluters. This emerged at a jointly organized session by the Department of Water and Sanitation South Africa, in collaboration with Magalies Water and Blue Planet South Africa, this week.
The session was to share knowledge and information on the use of Nanobubble Technology, as one of various methods to treat the Hyacinth Plant at Hartbeespoort Dam.
Muir Anet of the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), is responsible for the Blue Drop/Green Drop initiatives, as well as general compliance, said the DWS did not take strong regulatory action against Municipalities for sewage pollution, because policy said it was against Intergovernmental relations.
“But since 2017, the DWS has opened 88 criminal cases for sewage pollution, involving 52 Municipalities, across 9 Provinces. This follows non-responsiveness of the municipalities to notices and directives.”
About 5 of those cases are complete and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), has decided to prosecute.
Another 5 cases have received a court ruling, and the DWS is monitoring the implementation of court decisions.
Govan Mbeki Local Municipality has to folk out a R200 million fine for sewage pollution, while the Thaba Chewu and Rand West were fined R10 million each.
Anet said DWS is working closely with National Treasury’s city support Programme, to assist the Metropolitan municipalities.
She said an integrated water resource management plan is underway to safeguard and improve water access and quality for all users.
A review and implementation of the Hartebeespoort Dam integrated biological remediation is also under development.
Magalies Water is an entity of the DWS, appointed as an implementing agent (IA) for water resource planning and management in the Crocodile West River Catchment and the Hartebeespoort Dam (Harties).
Ammonia and phosphates counts in the water have reached astronomical levels, and invasive hyacinth has spread in the water board.
Anet said although domestic wastewater and sewage disposal is a local government function, national and provincial government have a duty to support, but also take regulatory action. This includes issuing notices, directives, initiating civil action and laying criminal charges.
There are 23 wastewater treatment works (WWTW) of Local Municipalities discharging into the upper Catchment of the Crocodile.
The combined value of the works are estimated at 1, 853 Ml per day.
They include Bronkhorstspruit, Klipgat, Rayton, Refilwe, Rietgat, Rooiwal Eastern Works, Rooiwal Northern Works, Sandspruit, Summer Place Package, Sunderland Ridge, Temba, Zeekoegat, Babelegi, Baviaanspoort, Daspoort, Ekangala, Magaliesburg, Percy Steward, Flip Human, Ester Park, Olifantsfontein, Driefontein, and Northern WWTW.
These are located in the City of Tshwane, City of Ekurhuleni, City of Johannesburg and Mogale City.
Take the case of the dysfunctional Percy Steward WWTW, carrying sewage from Krugersdorp, discharging into the Blougatspruit, a tributary of the Crocodile River.
The Blougatspruit also runs through a Heritage site, the Cradle of Humankind, where the Gauteng Government has invested millions to develop the area.
But due to the stench of sewage, some have opted to shut down, resulting in a loss of jobs.
Anet said the colour of water in the area is noticeably off, and even when performance at Percy Steward improves, the long-term damage to downstream users and the ecology of the river will remain.
Picture: Julie Coetzee