Mogale City Local Municipality (MCLM) has over the past weeks attracted extensive negative media coverage on its Percy Stewart Wastewater Treatment Works (PSWWTW), an alleged embezzled R200 million subsidy from national government to restore the treatment plant and the destructive impacts of an inadequately functioning plant causing spillage of water into one of the river systems entering the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site (COH WHS) – thus affecting the pristine nature of the UNESCO listed site of global significance.
The municipality’s Water Services wishes to provide members of the public and media with an update and clarity on these issues.
The R200 million National Department of Water and Sanitation funding allegedly misappropriated by the municipality
Indeed, in assisting the municipality with its water challenges, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) allocated a R200m to MCLM for the required repairs, upgrades and maintenance of three wastewater treatment plants i.e., Flip Human, Magaliesberg and PSWWTW and connecting water infrastructure. This was allocated from 2019 and for use commencing in the 2020-2021 financial year for the work.
The funds were therefore used on the said three wastewater treatment plants and other water infrastructure projects e.g., replacement of aged water pipelines, extension of bulk water lines, connection of rural communities, water refurbishments, etc. A detailed breakdown of the spend to date and funds still unspent is as follows:
| FINANCIAL YEAR | BUDGET | EXPENDITURE |
| 2020-2021 | R 42 200 000.00 | R 42 200 000.00 |
| 2021-2022 | R 55 000 000.00 | R 48 137 533.00 |
| 2022-2023 | R 45 160 000.00 | R 48 748 261.00 |
| 2023-2024 | R 46 782 000.00 | R 0 |
| TOTAL | R 189 142 000.00 | R 139 085 794.00 |
Click here to download a detailed breakdown of the figures and projects the funds were spent is attached for perusal.
Percy Stewart Wastewater Treatment Plant
Built in the 1950s, this plant treats wastewater generated from Krugersdorp, Noordheuwel, Quellerie Park and Munsieville as well as effluent from industrial development adjacent to the Krugersdorp Airfield and discharges into the Bloubankspruit River. Over the years, minor refurbishments and upgrades were done on the plant however, the age of the infrastructure and the city’s growing population and insufficient budget to maintain infrastructure has adversely affected work at the plant. Although the PSWWTW is currently not operating at full capacity which does partly contribute to some of the water treatment challenges, the plant is in a fair state of operations. This has also been confirmed by the past year’s Green Drop water assessment, which is as per the latest assessment, sitting at 65%. In the past, it had been fluctuating between 61-73 % which can partly be attributed to the fact that the plant was operating at 50-60% of its design capacity. As briefly alluded to above, ageing infrastructure in addition to the rapid increase in development in Mogale City has led to increase in hydraulic inflow to the wastewater treatment works. In overcoming the challenges at Percy Stewart, the municipality has taken a phased approach to refurbish the plant and bring it to an operational state that will yield compliance to effluent standards.
Phase 1: Refurbishment
R20 Million was allocated to this phase of the project all-inclusive of construction amount, professional fees and Value Added Tax (VAT). The scope achieved under Phase 1 of the project is as follows:
- Supply, installation and commissioning of three (3) floating aerators and two surface aerators
- Replacement of non-function mixers equipment in the new and old
- Reactor
- Refurbishment of the stand-by power generator
- Supply and installation of the mixing equipment for anaerobic digester number three (3)
Phase 1 was completed and commissioned contributing to continuous efforts to meeting effluent standards.
Phase 2: Refurbishment
The allocated budget for Phase 2 was R15 Million all-inclusive of construction amount, professional fees and VAT. The scope of work Phase 2 was as follows, in order of priority:
- Refurbishment of old non-functional raw sludge pump station Motor Control Centre Panels
- Refurbishment of mixing equipment for anaerobic digester number four (4)
- Desludging of Primary Settling Tank (PST) No.08 and refurbishment of (PST) No.08 rotating bridge
- Refurbishment of Primary Settlement Tank (PST) No. 07 scum removal system
- Installation of submersible pumps in the chlorine contact tank
- New irrigation pump station
Due to long lead items and operational challenges at the plant, the scope of work was revised with implications as cost increased to R 8.1 million. The plant is, however, not in a dire state as reported by television productions. Operations have been improving daily during the past months and phased work done by the appointed maintenance contractor has improved levels of stability on the functional status of the plant.
Manhole plant discharging waste into PSWWTW
Based on in-depth assessments done, the dumping site effluent mostly comes from chemical toilets and septic tanks collection points, where in some cases industrial effluent is sucked into the tankers as seen through routine sample analysis tests conducted. The proximity of the dumping site was also identified as a contributing factor to the pollution of the Blougatspruit. In terms of intervention, the municipality in collaboration with the Cradle of Humankind Association has enclosed the facility by erecting a gate and concrete slab around the manhole for improved discharge minimising spillage beyond this discharge point. Post this work, the facility was re-opened with security guards and staff deployed to monitor dumper trucks and allow only trucks with approved permits to discharge waste. Assigned municipal workers also take random samples from the dumper trucks for laboratory testing and the general required cleaning at the manhole.
Municipal staff operational efficiency
The municipality is in the process of concluding recruitment and appointment of Water Services staff in critical positions. Many posts were left vacant due to resignations, death and employees reaching retirement age which left a big staff gap. We anticipate that the newly appointed incumbents will commence work from 1 November 2023.
Spillage into the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site
As previously mentioned, our Green Drop water assessment is currently sitting at an acceptable status of 65% and this accounts for the effluent that Mogale City discharges into the Blougatspruit. Monitoring and testing further downstream is a national government competence as the Blougatspruit River merges with other streams. To address this issue, Mogale City is working closely with stakeholders such as the Cradle of Humankind Association and has recently entered into an agreement with Sibanye Gold Mining Group, who will provide technical and specialist expertise to implement short, medium and long terms maintenance and upgrading projects for improved operations subject to the successful confirmation of sufficient funding resources to appoint service providers to execute work at the plant.
Conclusion
To conclude, the municipality not only aims to clarify incorrect reporting of misappropriation of funds but also demonstrate its transparency and commitment for an overturn on operations and management of PSWWTW. We also wish to dispel the negative perceptions of a total disregard for the effects of effluent spillage into the World Heritage Site and remain committed to working alongside key partners such as national government, private sector, affected residents and all other interest and pressure groups in ensuring a permanent resolve to the issues at hand. All this for sustained benefit of our people, attracting increased investment, retaining our World Heritage status as the City of Human Origins, tourism and broader city industry growth and increased job creation rather than losses.