A call on Mogalakwena to address wastewater treatment plants
The Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, Sello Seitlholo, has encouraged the Mogalakwena Local Municipality in Limpopo to implement corrective measures to address the issue of dysfunctional wastewater treatment plants, which largely pollute watercourses in the area.
Deputy Minister Seitlholo conducted a two-day oversight visit to Mogalakwena Local Municipality, part of the Waterberg District in Limpopo Province.
There, Seitlholo inspected several projects - including the problematic wastewater treatment plants as well as some households affected by malfunctioning sewer systems.
The deputy minister was accompanied by the Executive Mayor of Mogalakwena Local Municipality, Cllr Ngoako Thulani Taueatsoala, and the Chairperson of Lepelle Northern Water Board, Dr Nndweleni Mphephu.
Seitlholo said the Department released a Green Drop Report in 2023, which indicated that Mogalakwena Local Municipality has wastewater systems that are in a critical state, requiring significant attention and improvement.
The report highlighted a need for concerted effort to improve wastewater services, with a particular focus on addressing issues of effluent treatment.
“We are faced with a problem whereby 78% of the waste water treatment works in Limpopo are in a critical state and dysfunctional, and that contributes to the contamination of water courses in the province due to raw or partially treated effluent that finds its way to the rivers and dams,” said Deputy Minister Seitlholo.
“Water pollution does not only have a negative effect on the quality of water, but it also has cost implications for Municipalities to treat water in bulk.”
“The municipality is therefore encouraged to develop a corrective action plan to address the identified shortcomings, as far as water pollution is concerned.”
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