Azra Hoosen | ah@radioislam.co.za
4 January 2025 | 09:45 CAT
3 min read

Tshwane authorities are intensifying efforts to resolve Hammanskraal’s prolonged water crisis, aiming to deliver clean drinking water to residents by mid-2025. The crisis, which worsened after a devastating cholera outbreak in June 2024, has left the community reliant on alternative water sources for years. Despite delays in construction, Water and Sanitation director-general Dr. Sean Phillips assured that progress is being made to address the issue and restore access to safe water.

According to Dr Phillips, the National Department of Water and Sanitation, through Magalies Water, has made progress in addressing Hammanskraal’s water crisis by installing a modular water treatment system at the Klipdrift Water Treatment Facility. This “package plant,” designed for quick construction and potential relocation, began operations in October 2023, delivering 12.5 megaliters of clean water daily to Tshwane’s reservoirs supplying Hammanskraal.

He explained that the City of Tshwane is using this clean water to flush Hammanskraal’s reticulation system, removing contaminants from previously polluted supplies. The city’s original water treatment works remain non-operational due to severe pollution from untreated sewage in the Apies River caused by malfunctioning infrastructure at the Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Works, which is under repair but will take years to complete.

“It’s taken some time to flush out those residues. The water quality tests show that the water quality is much better now in the reticulation system; it meets the chemical and microbiological requirements. But in a couple of places, this is not meeting the turbidity requirements, which means that it’s a bit cloudy,” he said. He explained that the remaining issues in Hammanskraal’s water supply might stem from sediments, salt deposits, or rust in the ageing pipes. Efforts are ongoing to address these challenges and ensure the water quality improves throughout the system. “Any day now, we hope that they’re going to be in a situation where they can inform the residents of those areas of Hammanskraal, which are going to be provided from this first part of this phase, which is completed, that they can start drinking the water,” he added.

The remaining three phases of the modular water treatment system are scheduled for completion in March, April, and June 2025. Once fully operational, the system is expected to provide sufficient clean drinking water for all Hammanskraal residents, eliminating their current dependence on water tankers supplied by the City of Tshwane.

Dr Phillips noted that while awaiting the completion of the remaining three phases of the modular water treatment system, the City of Tshwane is actively working to ensure the safety of Hammanskraal residents in areas where water remains undrinkable. Residents are consistently advised not to consume tap water, and the city is providing clean drinking water via tankers.

The water supplied through these tankers is sourced from Rand Water and Magalies Water pipelines and undergoes regular testing to ensure it meets drinking water quality standards. This interim measure aims to safeguard public health until the water treatment system is fully operational later this year.

When asked about confidence in meeting the mid-2025 deadline for delivering clean water to all Hammanskraal residents, Dr Phillips acknowledged the inherent unpredictability of construction projects. Challenges such as labour unrest, disruptions from groups like the “construction mafia,” adverse weather, or unforeseen ground conditions can impact timelines. However, he noted that the successful completion of the first module in October 2023 has provided valuable insights into the site’s conditions, making the remaining phases more predictable. While no guarantees can be made, they expressed a high level of confidence that the project will be completed as planned by June 2025.

He highlighted that over the past few decades, neglect of such infrastructure has led to many plants, like Tshwane’s Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Works, operating in poor condition, discharging untreated sewage into rivers and the environment. Ensuring proper maintenance is crucial for sustainable water management and public health.

“The main lesson we need to learn from this is that it is very dangerous. It increases the risk of cholera and waterborne diseases like chronic diarrhoea, which can be fatal for small children. It also results in a situation where the water is so polluted that the water treatment works can’t treat it to drinking water quality standards, and it greatly increases the cost of treating the water,” he said.

Dr Phillips stressed that municipal councils must prioritise budgeting for the maintenance of wastewater treatment facilities and ensure they have the right personnel with the necessary skills to effectively manage these vital systems. Only with proper investment and skilled management can we prevent future water crises and safeguard public health.

LISTEN to the full interview with Ml Habib Bobat and Dr. Sean Phillips, Water and Sanitation director-general, here.