MEC Sebegoe on the raw sewerage spillage in Groot Marico

20 Jan 2012

Before I can start with this media briefing, I first want to apologise to everyone, especially members of the media for informing you late about this briefing.

The situation in Groot Marico is a health risk to both human and livestock and as the provincial government, we cannot leave the matter unattended.

Department of Local Government and Traditional Affairs together with the Department of Water Affairs and Ngaka Modiri Molema, will work on a number of interventions to effectively deal with the problem of raw sewerage that is spilling into the Groot Marico river an ultimately into the Greater Groot Marico Dam.

It has been discovered that the main causes of spilling of the sewage are the blocked manhole, the infrastructure is old and the fact that there has been an increase in the number of housing settlements around the area.

Part of the intervention plan will include the following:

• Rebuilding three damaged manholes and unblocking remaining manholes.
• Construction of an appropriately sized conservancy tank which will have a hydraulic retention time.
• Installation of additional pipework to the new conservancy tank.
• Existing sewage dam will emptied and disposed at Zeerust.
• Community campaign to raise awareness regarding the appropriate use of the sewer to mitigate the problems of blockages caused by rags and other solid material.
  

A regular programme for emptying the conservancy tank is developed and implemented by the municipality for a sustainable management of the reticulation system.

It is unfortunate that the situation has been left unattended for some time; however, I wish to indicate that the matter is receiving the necessary attention.

The department and municipality will work hand in hand in exploring all avenues to salvage the situation and ultimately put the matter to rest.

I also wish to plead with members of the media to exercise patience when requesting government to respond to issues due to the fact that most cases affect communities and should therefore be dealt with in a sensible manner to ensure that we exercise diligence.

Enquiries: 
Dineo Lolokwane 
Cell: 072 542 8444

Issued by: North West Local Government and Traditional Affairs 
20 Jan 2012

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