Midvaal’s R220m wastewater upgrade still unfinished nearly a decade after resuming

Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation Sello Seitlholo. Picture: GCIS A long-delayed upgrade to the Meyerton wastewater treatment works in Gauteng’s Midvaal local municipality has drawn sharp criticism from Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation Sello Seitlholo. Seitlholo used a recent oversight visit to warn that stalled sanitation infrastructure is putting the country’s water resources at serious risk.

The R220 million project to upgrade the Meyerton works, which resumed in 2017, remains incomplete. According to the department, the project is in its third and final phase despite two phases already having been finished. “Meyerton wastewater treatment works project was funded by the department of water and sanitation through its regional bulk infrastructure grant.

” it said. “With Rand Water appointed as the implementing agent, the project is meant to improve sanitation services and ensure that the effluent treated at the plant meets the required standards.” It said the project was designed to expand the plant’s treatment capacity from 10 megalitres a day to 25 megalitres a day. The construction setbacks have been linked to a combination of issues.

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“Project delays have been attributed to contractor cash flow constraints, payment challenges and persistent rainfall, which has disrupted construction,” the department said. In response, Rand Water has moved to stabilise the project by resolving outstanding payment disputes, re-engaging subcontractors and stepping up construction activity to recover the time lost. Additionally, the utility appointed as the implementing agent promised to complete the project within the current financial year.

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