The Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW) at Cradock is non-functional and all that is being done is adding chlorine to the effluent. Solids have settled in the tanks and resulted in an untreated overflow to the Great Fish River.
The matter is now being handled at a higher level to resolve the problem. The DWS Eastern Cape Region first issued a directive to the Chris Hani DM, Craddock WWTW, in October 2016 to apply for authorisation for the WWTW and to stop pollution from occurring, as well as to rehabilitate the affected area. The DM submitted an action plan which was not approved as it did not adhere to the requirements of the directive.
Two more notices were issued in mid-2018 to submit an action plan with immediate plans to address the current status of the non-compliances with the WWTW. No response from the DM was received.
On 3 April 2019 the DWS EC region referred the matter to the DWS Compliance, Monitoring and Enforcement (CME) Unit – National Office – for application of a court interdict.
The CME (National Office) is awaiting outstanding reports to secure a successful application from the EC office. The reports are expected on 26 June 2019.
Water restrictions at Mahikeng Local Municipality
Meanwhile, the Minister of Human Settlements and Water, Lindiwe Sisulu, has intervened in the water shortage at Mahikeng Local Municipality. Sedibeng Water and Mahikeng Local Municipality will inform residents and businesses about rationing schedules. There is currently a dire shortage of water from raw water sources: Molopo Eye and Grootfontein Boreholes.
Here is your weekly dam update:
- The Vaal River System consisting of 14 dams serving mainly Gauteng Sasol and Eskom is at 94.9%.
- The Cape Town Dams System, consisting of six dams serving mainly City of Cape Town, are at 37% this week.
- The Eastern Cape Dam System is at 59.1% while KwaZulu-Natal sits at 63.8%.
Here are the latest dam percentages throughout the country:
For a more in-depth rainfall update, visit WeatherSA or click here. For more information on the water storage levels across the country, visit the DWS site. For a comprehensive drought status report from the Department of Water and Sanitation, click here.
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Article source: https://albertonrecord.co.za/215242/water-wednesday-dws-takes-legal-action-eastern-cape-municipality/