MEC Masuku visits Albert Luthuli Local Municipality to assess progress on water supply interventions
16 August 2012
The MEC for the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Mr Madala Masuku has visited Chief Albert Luthuli Local Municipality in Carolina to assess progress made in addressing water challenges faced by the municipality. The MEC visited the Carolina Water Treatment Plant accompanied by the Executive Mayor of Gert Sibande District Municipality, Cllr Meshack Nhlabathi, Executive Mayor of Chief Albert Luthuli Local Municipality, Cllr Busisiwe Shiba and officials from the Department of Water Affairs and COGTA.
During the assessment it was discovered that there has been significant progress in addressing the water contamination challenges that were experienced earlier. The PH levels are now at 6.9 on average in terms of the South African National Standards for portable water (SANS 241:2011). All the metals are now within the acceptable standard limits as per the South African National Standards for portable water (SANS 241:2011). The municipality has not experienced any challenges in terms of microbiological quality failures in Carolina. These tests are done on a monthly basis. The tests indicate that the water quality is now at acceptable standards.
Part of the interventions introduced by the Department of Water Affairs, Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Gert Sibande District Municipality and Chief Albert Luthuli Local Municipality in the plant have included the modification of the lime dosing system, modified the chlorine oxidation point, installation of the green sand filters, introduction of onsite mini laboratory for onsite quality monitoring and the installation of the bulk line from plant to the bulk storage reservoir. Human capacity has also been increased in the form of process controller and chemical analysts to improve the process monitoring and water testing.
The MEC and his entourage displayed the confidence in the water quality by publicly drinking the water from the tap. MEC Masuku expressed confidence in the water quality that is currently supplied to residents. “We are satisfied with the interventions to upgrade the Water Treatment Plant and that the water is safe to drink” said Masuku.
The MEC and the team visited a local clinic in Silobela to assess the situation and to interact with the community to give them feedback on the water status. They also visited one of the households where they also drank the water with the community members who gathered at that home.
The second phase of the intervention will include infrastructure upgrades, including the increase of the Water Treatment Works capacity from3.5 ML/d to 6ML/d as per 2030 demand projections, and the construction of an additional 4ML/d and the replacement all asbestos pipes with PVC pipes.
The municipality will continue to work with the Department of Water Affairs and COGTA to ensure that the quality of water is sustained to ensure that residents continue to receive clean potable water.
Contact persons:
- Simphiwe Kunene
Cell: 082 413 3931 - Themba Khoza
Cell: 082 600 5666 - David Nhlabathi
Cell: 072 592 4437
Issued by Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
