South African Minister of Water and Sanitation, Senzo Mchunu, has lauded the Kouga Local Municipality and Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality for their successful utilization of innovative water solutions. Their efforts have resulted in the lifting of the Section 63 intervention, which was put in place last year to prevent Day Zero caused by severe drought.
The Section 63 intervention enables the Minister of Water and Sanitation to intervene at the municipal level and fully control service delivery programs when municipalities fail to provide adequate water services. The implementation of various short, medium, and long-term projects expanded water supply in the region.
Whilst Minister Mchunu is satisfied with the progress made in averting Day Zero, he cautioned that water restrictions will remain in place. The municipality must report on progress on water conservation, improving service levels, and implementing a business turnaround strategy over the next 18 months.
The minister commended the municipalities for overcoming the threat of Day Zero and addressing water leak backlogs. However, he urged them to pay more attention to demand and consumption, which have not reduced even during the drought season, threatening future water security.
Innovative solutions implemented in the region include emergency water supply and expanding water supply through water tankering, new groundwater boreholes, and upgrading the Nooidgedacht Water Treatment Works. The long-term goal is to have desalination of seawater as a primary water source.
Kouga Municipality has made significant strides in securing water for its residents following a severe drought in 2016. The municipality received R57 million from the Water Services Infrastructure Grant to implement drought relief projects. These efforts resulted in the drilling of nine additional boreholes and the construction of water treatment plants.
Kouga Municipality built one of Africa’s largest processing plants for water contaminated by iron and manganese at the Jeffrey’s Bay Plant. The innovative facility treats water from boreholes to a drinkable quality. Kouga Municipality now supplies up to 70% of its average water consumption, relying on the Metro for only 30%.
The Algoa Water Supply System, which feeds both Kouga Municipality and Nelson Mandela Bay Metro, currently stands at an average of 46.7% capacity. Whilst the Impofu Dam remains low at 16.9%, the Loerie Dam is at full capacity, and the Kouga Dam reaches 57.6% this week.
Minister Mchunu emphasized that the forward-thinking approach of Kouga Municipality serves as a model for other municipalities. MEC Williams, the Eastern Cape Provincial MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, urged the municipalities to address non-revenue water, improve billing systems, and encourage water users to pay for their usage to maintain well-functioning systems.
The success of the advanced water solutions implemented in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro and surrounding areas showcases the potential of innovative strategies and technologies to overcome water scarcity challenges. By investing in sustainable water management practices and infrastructure, these municipalities are paving the way for a more resilient future.
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