The Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister, Sello Seitlholo, is optimistic that stronger coordination between institutions will be key to addressing ongoing water supply challenges affecting communities in the Bojanala District Municipality in the North West.
He was speaking during an engagement with Magalies Water, as well as the Rustenburg and Moses Kotane Local Municipalities, at the Rustenburg Civic Centre.
The meeting forms part of efforts by the department to identify the root causes of persistent water interruptions affecting several communities and to develop a coordinated plan to restore stable supply.
Delegates assessed the condition of several key water infrastructure systems that have been experiencing operational challenges.
These include the Kortbegrip system, which is currently operating with only one functional pump instead of the required three, significantly reducing supply capacity.
The engagement also highlighted persistent electricity challenges at the Phatsima Pump Station, which have been affecting operations since 2023.
Further pressure on the water system has been caused by the decommissioning of the Bospoort Reservoir, leaving a single 35-megalitre reservoir to meet growing demand.
At the Bospoort Water Treatment Works, Plant 3 has only three of the required five pumps currently operational, with frequent pump failures further limiting supply.
In addition, Seitlholo raised concerns that the Tlhabane Reservoir, under the Pilanesberg Phase 2 Project, remains non-operational as the Mafenya Pump Station has not yet been energised, despite the project having been publicly unveiled.
Other concerns raised include the unstable Monnakato pump line, where repeated pipe bursts have been causing water outages lasting between two and three days.
The cumulative impact of these challenges has resulted in recurring water interruptions, increasing frustration among residents and negatively affecting economic activity and basic service delivery in affected communities.
Seitlholo says the engagement highlighted the importance of maintaining a strong working relationship between the department, municipalities, and water entities in resolving the challenges.
Meanwhile, a task team has been established to closely monitor the implementation of interventions agreed upon during the meeting, track progress, and provide weekly reports to ensure that challenges affecting water supply systems in the municipality are urgently addressed.
