Mogale City’s three wastewater treatment plants and twenty-two (22) pumpstations which are essential to treating raw sewage and ensuring that discharged effluent is safe for both people and the environment.
However, these critical facilities, particularly the Percy Stewart Wastewater Treatment Plant which has been the focus of media attention have suffered from years of inadequate maintenance, aging infrastructure, rapid population growth, budget constraints, and ongoing theft and vandalism. These challenges have significantly delayed efforts to restore wastewater treatment services over the past three years.
Despite these setbacks, the city has launched a phased refurbishment programme to restore Percy Stewart, rehabilitate other partially operational treatment plants, and repair all non-operational sewer pump stations.
Below is an update of recent progress on work done over the past three months, as we work toward fully restoring our wastewater infrastructure.
WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS
Percy Stewart Wastewater Treatment Plant (November 2024 – January 2025)
R22 500 000 has been budgeted for Percy Stewart in the 2024/2025 financial year with R15 000 000.00 funded by the Integrated Urban Development Grant and R7 500 000.00 from municipal funds. The following restoration work can be reported:
- Due to previous theft and vandalism, the construction of a secure, durable boundary fence is 60% complete
- Refurbishment of Primary Settlement Tank (PST) No. 01 bridge and scum removal system
- Refurbishment of PST No. 07 bridge and scum removal system. As a result, the water quality has improved, evidenced by clearer water
- Inlet works: Refurbishment of mechanical screens, hydro-conveyor, compactors, and the Vortex degritter and grit classifiers system, including all related equipment and pipework
- Recommissioning of process units for Gelita Pre-treatment Plan
- All vandalised copper wiring and electrical components replaced by aluminium to minimize theft risk
- Installation of Return Activated Sludge pumps to recycle sludge back to the aeration tank, ensuring treatment to desired standards
- Replacement of 4 out of 6 aerators which provide oxygen for bacteria to treat and stabilise wastewater
- Installation of 2 out of 3 new mixers which help de-solidify sludge and mix it with wastewater
- Containment of onsite spillages that had encroached onto neighbouring farm
- Repair of the sludge lagoon where sludge is pumped from digestor
- Introduction of Bioremediation to improving the quality of effluent and reducing the sludge build up
- The contractor is currently working on other components, including the Motor Control Centres for the Biological Nutrient Removal system and additional structures
- The is municipality working in partnership with the South African Police Services and has deployed a high-risk security unit at the treatment plants which is averting threats of theft and vandalism
- Additional human resources appointed to address operational capacity constraints at the treatment plants. In 2024, 9 processors were appointed to tackle resource limitations and fulfill requirements within the municipality’s control. Of these, 4 positions were allocated to Percy Stewart
While significant progress has been made, further restoration work is needed to bring the plant to full operational capacity. An estimated R150 million is required to complete these remaining refurbishments, which will address operational capacity, sewer treatment for a growing population, and other environmental factors.
Magaliesburg Wastewater Treatment Plant
The Magaliesburg plant which was nearly at a complete standstill due to theft and vandalism, is now fully operational.
Flip Human Wastewater Treatment Plant
Flip Human is operational and awaiting a turnkey (emergency treasury-compliant procurement process) appointment to initiate the required refurbishment work. The plant requires approximately R150 million, as outlined in the 2020 conditions assessment, which details the scope of work. While the completion of Percy Stewart and Flip Human plants remain current priorities, an allocation of R7 million has been set aside from municipal funds for Flip Human fencing. However, the total estimated cost of R150 million remains unchanged. To cover this shortfall, the municipality plans to apply for government grant funding and is also open to exploring private sector or other partnership opportunities to support the full refurbishment of the water treatment infrastructure.
SEWAGE PUMPSTATIONS
Mogale City has a total of 22 sewer pump stations, 13 of which have been non-operational or only partially functional due to various factors, including infrastructure vandalism and theft, blockages, historical lack of maintenance, aging infrastructure, imbalances in demand and supply, and issues with electricity backups and load-shedding. In March 2024, following a turnkey appointment process and budget re-prioritisation, the municipality launched a programme to refurbish all non-operational pump stations. Priority was given to the problematic Munsieville, Magaliesburg Ga-Mohale, Brickvale, and Pinehaven Pump Stations. Although repair work was delayed by the need for imported parts, we can confirm that five pump stations have been successfully refurbished and are now fully operational, at a total cost of R11 million, with Brickvale funded through the Department of Human Settlements budget.
It should be noted that while the Royal Cradle pump station is now operational, it still requires a full refurbishment. The phased refurbishment approach is driven by budget constraints, with the municipality’s primary objective being to ensure all pump stations become operational first, with full refurbishment to follow. In addition to the six refurbished pump stations, the following pump stations are scheduled for completion by June 2025: Magaliesburg (Hilltop and River), Bush Street, Adam Street, Rietvallei Ext 1, Ethembalethu, and Lusaka. The Rietfontein Village sewer pump station is set for completion in the 2025/26 financial year (July 2025 – June 2026). This repair work is aligned with the allocated budgets over a two-year period and is expected to significantly reduce sewer spillages at the community level, while alleviating pressure on the broader water treatment network.
- Budget for 2024-25 = R25m
- Budget allocation for 2025-26 also estimated at R25m
The municipality is fully aware of the severity of the sewer water issues in Mogale City and the concerns raised by affected parties. We are confident that the phased refurbishment and ongoing interventions will lead to gradual improvements in effluent quality. However, before a complete cessation of sewer discharge into the river system can be achieved, rehabilitation of the rivers themselves is necessary, as some areas have experienced sewer settlement that will require extraction work. It is anticipated that, with the necessary budget, one financial year will be sufficient to bring the plant into full compliance with water quality standards.
In conclusion, the municipality assures all affected sectors, individuals, and parties of its commitment to fully refurbish the network of Mogale City’s water treatment facilities. Whether through increased efforts to secure funding, enhanced collaboration with sister governments, strengthened operational capacity or private sector partnerships, the municipal team remains focused on overcoming this historic challenge.