More than R1-billion has been allocated to improve Johannesburg's water and sanitation infrastructure over the next five years.

The city's wastewater treatment works will be refurbished at a cost of R379-million in the next financial year

JOBURG Water has put plans and money in place to upgrade and rehabilitate outdated municipal water infrastructure and sewer networks, and refurbish wastewater treatment works.

The municipal-owned entity is responsible for water and sanitation services; it has allocated over R1-billion in its capital budget to such programmes over the next five years.

Infrastructure is old and outdated, and the cash will be used to eliminate backlogs in upgrading and rehabilitating this infrastructure. This will end water pipe bursts, which often lead to flooding.

The utility will spend more than R300-million in the current financial year on overhauling water networks, and will motivate for an additional R471-million for the next financial year, to fully complete the project.

"The current power failure episodes facing our city have left many residents concerned that similar shortages could hit the supply of water," explains Ros Greeff, the member of the mayoral committee for infrastructure and services. "I want to ... assure city residents and the business community that water services in Johannesburg will not be disrupted and that planned projects for water and sanitation services will continue."

Projects under way
She says that Johannesburg Water has already tailored full-scale projects such as Operation Gcin'amanzi, Thonifho, Treatment Works, Bulk Supply and Reticulation Networks: Water and Sewer, to stop water loses and provide basic water and sanitation to poor communities.

"These projects have already delivered significant benefits."

Almost 90 000 meters have been installed through Operation Gcin'amanzi, with 17 332 households receiving water; another 12 427 households have now got sanitation through Thonifho. "There is an improved supply of water to the Diepsloot area, the greater Fourways area and the Bram Fischer area; the sewer system in Cosmo city has also been improved," she notes.

Sub-programmes like Water Mains Infrastructure Upgrade and Renewal provide new infrastructure and general upgrading of water reticulation and reservoirs and pump stations, Greeff says. "This is done to support the rapid development of the city and to ensure an acceptable minimum level of service as well as the renewal and replacement of ageing infrastructure."

Joburg Water has similar projects in the pipeline that entail upgrading water infrastructure in Ennerdale, Bryanston, Honeydew and Boschkop, as well as the construction of the Cosmo City reservoir. "Through these projects we continue to improve water supply to our consumers," Greeff explains.

Sewer networks
It is also investing in upgrading the sewer network infrastructure in the current financial year. Complementary projects include the upgrading of the sewer infrastructure in Diepsloot and Bushkoppies. "The completion of these projects will result in an improved sewer reticulation network to minimise blockages and reduce pollution of the environment," she promises.

The water utility is committed to ensuring that the quality of water is high and that it is 100 percent compliant with the permit issued by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry. "Joburg Water continues to supply the city and its customers with fresh, clean and healthy water each day," Greeff says. Regarding sanitation, it also closely monitors the amount of spillage into the rivers.

It has started weekly audit programmes that focus on infrastructure development and maintenance. "The objective is to start a proactive maintenance programme that will result in reduced water wastage."

Another sub-programme the utility will focus on is Wastewater Treatment Works Upgrade and Refurbishment, which is aimed at expanding capacity and upgrading as well as refurbishing electrical and mechanical plants. "Through this we will ensure that sufficient treatment capacity of effluent is generated in the city," she explains, adding that the utility will ensure that the environment is protected and that it complies with legal standards.

Treatment works
Areas that will benefit from the wastewater treatment works project include Bushkoppies, Ennerdale, Goudkoppies, Driefontein and Olifantsvlei. These suburbs will be allocated a capital budget of up to R379-million for the next financial year.

Treatment capacity will be increased in Driefontein Extension, while the Bushkoppies balancing tank will help improve liquid treatment and eliminate the possibility of spillage. "Other initiatives include pressure reducing measures in the networks at periods of low water demands such as at night, leak detection and a conventional meter replacement programme."

The utility has already allocated over R120-million of its budget for expenditure geared towards the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ and Gautrain projects over the next two years.

Water and sanitation services at all facilities that will be used as practice or match venues by visiting teams will be upgraded. These include the University of the Witwatersrand, University of Johannesburg Westdene, Rand, Ruimsig, Cecil Payne, Rabbie Ridge, Orlando and Dobsonville stadiums.

"Moreover, we are ensuring that the 900 million litres of waste water generated daily are treated to the high standards demanded by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry and are in line with the global best."

Joburg's water quality has been rated among the best in the world, "and to ensure that this status is maintained, our officials [will] routinely monitor over 500 drinking water samples per month".

Greeff insists that Joburg Water and the City are committed to improving the level of water and sanitation services. Maintaining its water systems allows Joburg Water to keep track of its capacity. To report water and sewerage problems, telephone Joburg Water's 24-hour call centre on 011 688 1500 or Joburg Connect on 011 375 5555.

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