To address the persistent water issues in Hammanskraal, South Africa, Minister of Water and Sanitation, Senzo Mchunu, and City of Tshwane Executive Mayor, Cllr. Cilliers Brink, have come together to form a joint project.
The Need for Urgent Action
Hammanskraal’s water and sanitation problems have turned into a matter of national urgency. To tackle this issue efficiently, a joint task team has been established, consisting of representatives from the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) and the City of Tshwane.
The Task at Hand
The team is responsible for implementing necessary interventions to restore water quality at Temba Water Treatment Works and upgrade the Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Works. The estimated cost of rehabilitating the Rooiwal WWTW and upgrading the Temba WTW is R6 billion, spread across the next four financial years.
Seeking Additional Funding
However, the City of Tshwane alone cannot shoulder the financial burden and lacks the capacity to resolve these water and sanitation challenges promptly. Consequently, the DWS and the City of Tshwane will collaborate with the National Treasury to secure additional funding.
The Minister and Mayor Express Satisfaction
Both Minister Mchunu and Mayor Brink have expressed satisfaction with the agreed-upon proposal. The Minister emphasized the need for a single, credible model to resolve Hammanskraal’s problems. Mayor Brink reiterated this sentiment, highlighting that the City of Tshwane is committed to forming a partnership with the DWS to address the long-standing issue of the under capacitated Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Works.
A New Chapter
With the formation of the joint task team and the partnership between the DWS and the City of Tshwane, the residents of Hammanskraal can look forward to a more secure and sustainable solution to their water and sanitation challenges. The initiative marks the beginning of a new chapter, one that leaves behind the failures and excuses of the past and focuses on finding long-lasting solutions to ensure access to clean, potable water for the community.
