The Department of Water and Sanitation’s (DWS’s) Section 63 intervention projects in the Emfuleni local municipality are making progress, says Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu.

Visiting several sites around the municipality on Tuesday, he said that he was optimistic about the progress made so far on the Sedibeng Sewer Scheme project and Vaal River System interventions in the Sedibeng district.

Upgrades and refurbishments, implemented by Rand Water, are under way in the Vaal region to improve critical bulk pipelines and pump stations to ensure that wastewater systems function optimally and eventually eliminate the protracted pollution of the Vaal river and its tributaries.

Mchunu undertook the oversight visit of about eight sites, including treatment works undergoing mechanical and electrical repairs, such as the Sebokeng wastewater treatment works, which is currently being salvaged and upgraded from 100-million litres a day with the addition of a further 50-million litres a day; the Leeuwkuil wastewater treatment plant, which is in the process of being increased from 36-million litres a day to 51-million litres a day.

The Rietspruit wastewater treatment works were also assessed, as was the Rothdene Pump Station, which falls within the Midvaal local municipality and services Meyerton, Henley on Klip and Rothdene.

During his visit to the Vaal, Mchunu also inspected the ongoing rehabilitation of pipelines such as VE10, Tshepiso South, Vereeniging, VB16, Bophelong and site EV18, Lakeside and Evaton.

While vandalism of infrastructure remains a significant challenge in almost all the treatment plants visited, Mchunu conveyed his appreciation that Rand Water, as an implementing agent, had made some notable headway in addressing sewer spills and water pollution.

“Two weeks ago, we instructed Rand Water as the implementing agent, to present a report of progress that they have made in Emfuleni. They gave us a comprehensive presentation showing a lot of progress overall. We are here to monitor, evaluate and verify if indeed there is progress. I can confirm that there is a vast difference between before and now and we are excited about that,” he said during the site visit.