It was a moment of joy and celebration in Hammanskraal, a community in the northern Pretoria region, as residents welcomed the return of clean running water for the first time in twenty years. This significant milestone was marked this morning when the Executive Mayor of Tshwane, Nasiphi Moya, took the inaugural sip from a tap in front of an enthusiastic crowd, signalling a new chapter for the community.
“This marks the completion of the first phase of the Klipdrift Package Plant, which commenced in October last year. We have four modules that we need to roll out to cover all residents reliant on the Rooiwal wastewater treatment plant. Today, we can confidently state that phase one is complete, and the residents supplied by the Babelegi reservoir can now safely drink the water,” Moya declared, her voice filled with pride as she raised her cup to the cheering residents.
The Executive Mayor expressed her administration’s unwavering commitment to providing clean potable water to a community that has long struggled with water scarcity. “According to our schedule, we plan to complete the second module by the end of February, the third module by the end of April, and the final module by the end of June. By the time we finish these installations, all areas should have potable water flowing from their taps,” Moya elaborated.
The ambitious project aims to supply water to several wards, including 49, 73, 74, and 75, covering areas such as Mandela Village, Marokolong, Ramotse, Kekana Gardens (also known as Steve Bikoville), and Babelegi Industrial. This systematic approach promises to address the desperate need for clean water that has plagued these communities for years.
The City of Tshwane successfully expedited the system flushing phase and performed thorough testing to guarantee the water quality meets vital health standards prior to the rollout. “In the weeks approaching the festive season, teams from Magalies Water and the City of Tshwane worked diligently to inspect and purge the reticulation system that was previously supplied by the Temba Water Works. By utilising water sourced from the new Klipdrift Package Plant, their main goal was to ensure the system is fully rehabilitated and disinfected,” Moya explained in enthusiasm, underlining her administration’s resolve.
Following the extensive testing and rehabilitation of the water system, results indicated a notable improvement in water quality—an essential factor for the health and well-being of the affected communities.
