Deputy Minister David Mahlobo conducts oversight visit to Rooiwal and Temba Water Treatment Works

On Monday, 19 August 2019, the Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, Mr David Mahlobo conducted an oversight visit at the Rooiwal Waste Water Treatment Works and the Temba Water Treatment Works.

He was accompanied by the MEC for Infrastructure Development and Property Management Ms Tasneem Motara, as well as the MMC for Utility Services for City of Tshwane, Cllr Abel Tau. The DWS Gauteng Provincial Head, Mr Sibusiso Mthembu headed the DWS delegation.

With regards to the Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Works, Minister Mahlobo noted that the treatment works is over-capacitated and evidently poorly operated and maintained. As a result poor quality effluent is discharged into the Apies River which feeds into the Leeukraal Dam. The Leeukraal Dan is a source of water for Hammanskraal.

The water that is abstracted from the Leekraal Dam and treated at Temba Water Treatment Works was on a number of occasions found to be non-compliant with the South African drinking water standards. This was also confirmed by the results of the joint sampling that was tested by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), under the direction of the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC).

Deputy Minister Mahlobo has subsequently advised that the City of Tshwane (CoT) must own up to the problem and work with the Department to find sustainable scientific and technical solutions to address challenges at the two works while working with the community.

For more information contact:
Sputnik Ratau
Spokesperson for the Department of Water and Sanitation
Cell: 082 874 2942

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