Water and Sanitation Department commits to improve service delivery following an oversight parliamentary visit
The Department of Water and Sanitation has committed to work with municipalities to rehabilitate failing water infrastructure to improve communities’ access to water and sanitation services.
This follows an oversight visit by the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation to assess the efficacy of the Department’s projects in Gauteng from 05-07 February 2020.
The Committee visited various projects of the Department, including the Vaal River Intervention Project.
In the Vaal, it noted that there was reasonable progress being made to address the pollution of the Vaal River System and also expressed that more work still needed to be done.
As such, the Department has committed to enhance and improve relations with all spheres of government.
Minister Lindiwe Sisulu recently visited the Vaal River Intervention Project where she received an update on the progress made by the Ekurhuleni Water Care Company (ERWAT) since its deployment.
Minister Sisulu gave a clear directive that Rand Water and ERWAT as the two implementing agents of the Project, were going to directly report to her on progress that is being made.
In the subsequent visit to Hammanskraal, the Department stressed the importance of intergovernmental relations aimed at collaborative efforts with ERWAT and Magalies Water to resolve drinking water and wastewater challenges.
They said it will continue with enforcement processes until the City of Tshwane fully complies with effluent standards.
Key to resolving the challenges, EWART and Magalies water will transfer skills to the municipality for operational and maintenance of the water and wastewater treatment plants.
Enquiries:
Sputnik Ratau
Cell: 082 874 2942
