By Doreen Mokgolo
The residents of Hammanskraal in Gauteng will have to wait another five months to get clean drinking water from their taps, as the Rooiwal wastewater treatment works and the Klipdrift plant are still being refurbished.
Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu announced that the first clean water from the treatment plant will come in September.
He was speaking during an oversight visit to the facility on Wednesday.
The delays were attributed to the 19 companies that put in bids for the tender but failed to meet the requirements.
Last year, Hammanskraal residents battled a cholera outbreak, with 15 people dying after drinking contaminated water.
Mchunu said the authorities are working towards getting the wastewater plants to function safely and properly.
“I am happy that work has started though we hoped it had started earlier, but they were delayed by the procurement process and redirecting funds towards the R4-billion needed for the project.
“For now residents will be receiving water from water tankers and boreholes,” he said.
Since the cholera outbreak residents have been forced to buy water from those who have boreholes on their properties for R2.50 for a 20-litre container, or bribe water tank truck drivers to fill up their Jojo tanks for R350. Others salvaged whatever rainwater they could find.
Tshwane mayor Cilliers Brink said the city’s objective is to complete the entire project by 2026.
“Even though we have missed some of the deadlines, they are justified. The delays on the project are due to ensuring that we make sound decisions like not appointing fly-by-night contractors.
“There is no scientific evidence that has linked the [cholera] outbreak to any of the treatment plants but it forced us to act as quickly as possible to find a solution for both water treatment plants,” he said.
Pictured above: Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu.
Image source: Supplied
