| |
Madibeng Municipality: water crisis
in Hartbeespoort
Mr. P.A. le Roux from Ifafi
writes:
The President: Thabo Mbeki
Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry: Lindiwe Hendricks
Minster of Provincial and Local Government: Sydney Mufamadi
Premier: North West Provincial Government: Edna Molewa
MEC for Local Government and Housing: Frans Vilakazi
MEC for Economic Development and Tourism: Darkey Africa
MEC for Health: Rachel Rasmeni
1. Facts of the matter
1.1 Up to and until five years ago, water restrictions were only
experienced in Hartbeespoort when the level of the Hartbeespoortdam,
which is the main water supply to the town, drops below 30 percent
during periods of drought. Under those circumstances, gardens at
properties with even and uneven street numbers could only be watered
on alternate days, and then only with hand held sprayers. During the
week of 22 to 28 October 2006 the water supply to the whole of
Hartbeespoort was only available for short periods of time during
the day and the watering of gardens during those periods was
prohibited. The Municipality ascribed these harsh measures to the
fact that local residents and businesses are using water
irresponsibly. It is also stated that the water infrastructure is
sufficient since no water shortages are experienced during autumn,
winter and spring.
1.2 To address the problem, the Municipality cut off the water
supply to the town as a whole at night to fill the reservoirs. When
the water level of a reservoir supplying a particular area is still
low in the morning, the valves of that reservoir are not opened. To
show a measure of concern, water trucks from the Municipality
delivered water to be collected in containers in the areas where
water was off during the day.
1.3 Restaurants and other eateries lost substantial amounts of
income as a result of the water being cut off since they could not
prepare food and drinks and wash their crockery. Public toilets had
to be locked to prevent serious hygienic problems. Schools also
experienced problems since learners could not use the toilets and
had no access to drinking water. Building contractors had to stop
work, resulting in many casual workers employed by them, had to
forfeit their daily earnings. Car washes also had to suspend their
operations as a result of which the labourers were not paid their
wages for the days they did not work. The water requirements of
these institutions cannot be met by collecting water in containers
from water trucks. It also applies to households since the quantity
of water required to take a bath/shower or flush their toilets
cannot be collected in buckets/containers. Also, the water trucks
drove past without any announcement that they are available for
water collection.
1.4 The water purifica-tion works were last upgraded some 24 years
ago. It also came to light that a pump delivering water from the dam
at 120 litres per second to the first stage of the water
purification works was installed. However, that stage can only
handle approximately 105 litres per second with a waste of water and
capacity of the pump at a rate of 25 litres per second.
1.5 The Municipality granted unprecedented approval for the develop-ment
of upmarket resi-dential areas, including large business complex-es,
in Hartbeespoort during the last five years. This, together with the
normal growth of the town as well as the establishment of various
informal settlements in and around it, resulted in an increase in
the demand for water by an estimated 40 percent. The increase in the
population as a result of these developments is in addition to the
natural population growth of Hartbeespoort.
1.6 A project to link up the water supply of the Municipal area with
the Rand Water at Pelindaba was started some time ago. It only
progressed as far as a pipeline being installed and the foundation
of a reservoir being laid.
2. Discussion
2.1 It is readily agreed that more water is being used at the
beginning of summer and during heat waves such as was experienced
during the period when only a limited water supply was available.
However, the increase in residential and businesses developments, as
well as the normal population growth of the town since the water
purification works was last upgraded, is actually the biggest
contributing factor to the water crisis that was experienced. The
Municipality does not seem to recognise this fact, hence their
statement that water is being used irresponsible and that the water
infrastructure is sufficient.
2.2 Hartbeespoort is a popular destination for local as well as
international tourists and many guesthouses and other lodgings have
been established recently to provide for the growing tourism
industry in this area. A future water crisis such as was experienced
recently, will surely impact negatively on the town and the
municipality. If such a crisis should occur during the Soccer World
Cup tournament in South Africa during 2010 when a huge influx of
tourists to the town and surroundings will undoubtedly occur such a
water crisis will definitely put the country as a whole in a very
bad light internationally.
2.3 Town developers have to pay a substantial amount to
municipalities in respect of bulk services, (e.g. water, sewage,
electricity, roads, etc) in terms of the Ordinance on Town Planning
and Townships, 1986 (Ordinance No 15 of 1986). The money thus paid
should be regarded as a trust in favour of all residents and
business owners in the area where the development is approved by the
municipality and be utilised to ensure that such services are
adequate in the area concerned. Taking into account the vast
residential and business developments in the Hartbeespoort area
during the past five years the Municipality of Madibeng should have
ample funds available to upgrade the water infrastructure of the
town to, not only meet the present requirements, but also to provide
in the future.
2.4 The project to link up the present water supply of Madibeng to
the Rand Water Board’s system at Pelindaba appears to be
insufficient to ensure a permanent solution to the ever-increasing
water requirements of the whole of the Municipal area, should it
ever be completed. With the Hartbeespoortdam on our doorstep, water
on a more or less permanent basis is available to the Municipality
for purification and supply to Hartbeespoort Township. As stated
above, funds should be available for the upgrading of the existing
water purification works.
2.5 Something seems to be drastically amiss in the management of the
Madibeng Municipality, since the pipeline mentioned above is not the
only project that ground to a premature halt. A project to supply
low cost housing in the Hartbeespoort area also came to a standstill
some months ago. Some foundations were laid and walls erected but no
house has been completely finished. It is alleged that although the
main contractor received an advanced payment from the Municipality
he did not paid the subcontractor for work already done and
disappeared with the money.
3. Conclusion
3.1 Dry and hot spells may very well occur during December 2006 and
January and February 2007. Water crisis will then be experience all
over again. Therefore, the Municipality of Madibeng shall have to
take the necessary steps to improve the water infrastructure to
Hartbeespoort as a matter of the utmost urgency.
3.2 A suggestion was made that the residents of Hartbeespoort
approach the Supreme Court to compel the Municipality to solve the
problem immediately on a permanent basis. However, such action
should be the last resort since it will have dire financial and
other implications for all parties concerned. The residents
therefore request you to intervene by summarily instruct the
Municipality of Madibeng to upgrade and improve the water
infrastructure to Hartbeespoort without further delay.
Your kind and urgent attention to this request will be appreciated
greatly.
Back to Top
Back to Home |
8 November 2006 |
