The refurbishment of the Rooiwal wastewater treatment works and the upgrade of the Klipdrift water treatment works in Hammanskraal is well underway, with Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu committing to ensure the success of the projects.

The Rooiwal wastewater treatment works is being refurbished to enable its performance at optimum capacity, while the Klipdrift water treatment works is being upgraded from 42 to 92 megalitres a day

The project's aim to improve the provision and quality of water in the parts of Hammanskraal that are adversely affected by insufficient provision of water services.

“I am pleased to inform you that by September this year, most households will be able to get consistent and reliable water in their homes. This will significantly improve the quality of life for more than 47 000 households and a population of 180 679,” Mchunu assured.

The refurbishment of the Rooiwal wastewater treatment works, with the Development Bank of Southern Africa as the implementing agent, is being undertaken in two sub-phases.

A turnkey approach is being undertaken for the urgent Phase 1A refurbishment to ensure that the necessary works are carried out swiftly and efficiently.

This includes both general building and mechanical and electrical elements that will work together to deliver the upgrades needed to improve the plant's capacity and functionality.

The more conventional Phase 1B will comprise the construction of two primary sedimentation tanks, the refurbishment of the East flow balancing tank and pump station and the upgrade of the anaerobic digesters on the Rooiwal West Works, besides others.

Mchunu, during oversight inspections of the infrastructure and a subsequent community imbizo, said that the upgrade of the Klipdrift water treatment plant will create up to 70 jobs for the duration of the project.

“We always strive to ensure that projects undertaken by government benefit the local communities,” he said.

He further warned of those who continue to vandalise infrastructure.

“We also should not be shy to call out those among the community who commit the crime of vandalising the infrastructure that we so much want to see work optimally to serve everyone in our communities,” Mchunu concluded.