This is a huge concern. What little money that is being allocated to fix our dire water treatment works is being squandered by municipalities on other projects. When will this matter be taken seriously?
It is time the government controlled infrastructure funds for these municipalites as we really cannot afford to waste. We would imagine that the extra funding required that the minister speaks of would be mismanaged in a similar way if policy is not changed.
The Department of Water Affairs wants municipalities to use the municipal infrastructure grant they receive from National Treasury to fix ailing waste water treatment plants.
Senior department officials told MPs on Tuesday most municipalities were not using these funds to fix deteriorating sewage plants but spent them on other programmes.
Acting Director-General Nobubele Ngele said while infrastructure maintenance was the responsibility of municipalities under the law, it appeared that municipalities expected the department to perform this function.
Ngele and her delegation were briefing the National Assembly’s committee on water and environmental affairs on the state of waste water treatment plants in the country.
Their appearance comes after Water Affairs minister Buyelwa Sonjica last month finally released the Green Drop report, which revealed the alarming state of waste water treatment. Only seven percent (32) of the country’s 850 plants complied with Green Drop criteria, while 449 were in no position to even be assessed.
Ngele said talks were underway with the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs as well as National Treasury about funding local councils to ensure that they attended to the problem of fixing their waste water treatment plants.
She admitted the additional R500 million pumped into sewage plants last year was a “drop in the ocean” and that billions of rand would be needed. Sonjica said earlier this month R23 billion was needed over the next six years – the value put in the Green Drop report on the cost of replacing all waste water treatment infrastructure.
The acting DG said Water Affairs wants treasury to impose strict conditions forcing local councils to use municipal infrastructure grant funds for the purpose they were intended.
MPs believe R23 bn may not be enough to fix the problems.
The DA and Independent Democrats said Sonjica had under-estimated the amount she would need to refurbish hundreds of the plants, some of which are in very poor condition.
DA MP Annette Lovemore said in the relatively well-run Western Cape alone, around R8bn was needed.
Lance Greyling of the ID shared her concern that Sonjica had under-estimated the funds she would need.
“This issue is a huge concern. The Green Drop report paints a dire picture. If it’s going to cost R23bn or even far higher than that… what are we going to do fix all these plants? Is the money available?” he asked.
- Business Report
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