Enhancing Water and Sanitation Services in Inxuba Yethemba - Portfolio Committee Briefing

1. Briefing the Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation on Service Delivery in respect of water and sanitation in respect of Inxuba Yethemba in the Chris Hani District Municipality Presented by : P Makhanya Designation : Provincial Head: Easter Cape Date: 4 November 2015 PRESENTATION TITLE Presented by: Name Surname Directorate Date

2. TABLE OF CONTENTS Background : InxubaYethemba • Backlogs and funding Requirements • Cradock • Drinking Water Quality • WSP challenges • Sanitation • Other Contributors to pollution • Future Bulk Supply • Middleburg • Drinking Water Quality • Sanitation • Future Bulk Supply • Conclusion

3. Background: Chris Hani DM • Chris Hani District as Water Services Authority • Council Resolution to take over WSP function from its 8 LMs • Total termination of WSP contracts to be undertaken gradually with the exception of two whose contracts have expired in June 2014 • Emalahleni • Engcobo • Inkwanca • IntsikaYethu • InxubaYethemba • Lukanji • Sakhisizwe • Tsolwana

4. 7 RBIG projects • Total Cost requirement – R 1,8 billion • Current allocation – R 462,7 million

5. Future bulk water supply options The DWS is constantly giving attention to meeting projected future bulk water supply options to all towns and rural areas in the Eastern Cape. This is being done by All Towns Reconciliation Strategy Study, which is an ongoing study. This study seeks various means to ensure sufficient water of acceptable quality to meet a rolling 25 year horizon. Legislation dictates that the unit cost of water from the next scheme will inevitably be the deciding factor in selection. Inputs from the relevant WSAs on setting out the way forward are always welcome. Water quality and infrastructure matters are also covered in the reports

6. Current Water Services Project Interventions 6

7. Inxuba Yethemba LM • The two urban centres of Cradock and Middelburg are fairly similar, with well-developed CBDs and fair infrastructure. • A lot still needs to be done in the former previously disadvantaged communities. • The rural areas of both towns are mostly commercial farms, with small settlements in the rural areas of Fish River Mortimer and Rosmead

8. Water Services Backlog

9. Cradock

10. DRINKING WATER QUALITY: CRADOCK • Several complaints have been raised by the residents of Cradock regarding the drinking water quality during the last 6 months • CHDM has refurbished the Cradock WTW to improve the drinking water quality • Since then – 1 complaint has been received which occurred after a burst water pipe has been fixed • A challenge with the quality of water is experienced during the 3 weeks in winter when no water is released from the Grassridge Dam 10

11. WSA/WSP CHALLENGES • Dealing with teething problems during the transition period • No water accounts have been rendered to the users in Middelburg and Cradock since CHDM took over the WSA function in 2014 • The Blue Drop System confirms that since CHDM has taken over as WS Provider, the frequency of water sampling has declined, but the Water Quality compliance has improved: • E. coli compliance improved from 95% to 100%, • Turbidity improved from 47% to 85%,

12. Cradock Sanitation Non-functionality of Cradock WWTW is attributed to: • WSA functions transitioning from Inxuba Yethemba LM to Chris Hani DM in 2014 • Financial burdens were inherited by Chris Hani DM • Payments to maintenance service providers had been delayed which resulted that broken down components of the plant have not been repaired • The regular sewage spillages into the Great Fish River was a major concern • Various site Visits, engagements with CHDM and non-compliance letters issued to address spillages • Commitment from Chris Hani DM: • These are now attended to and Cradock WWTW will be fully repaired and will function at optimum level in due course • Action Plan rejected by DWS to ensure WWTW and pump failures are addressed . 12

13. Other Contributors to Great Fish River Pollution Recent DWS Enforcement Visits revealed • Poor Management of waste and waste water by Dairies and Abattoirs operating in the area • non-compliance to disposal of carcasses • Non-functional ponds systems whose waste water flow to the great fish river • Awareness and engagements of organised meat producers by DWS • Workshops cerate awareness and ensuring compliance to be conducted from November for this sector

14. Chris Hani DM Cradock future bulk supply options The All Towns Reconciliation Strategy Study recommendations for Cradock future bulk supplies are as follows: Immediate WC&WDM implementation (this includes ageing infrastructure replacements and upgrades to increase efficiency). Increased allocation from the Orange River Project. Water re-use is also a future possibility. Groundwater development is also an option for diversification of sources.

15. Middelburg

16. Middelburg Bulk Water Supply Project description: The project will serve the town of Middleburg with a sustainable source from a borehole source. The project description is to Investigate options of bulk water supply to the water strapped towns of Middelburg. Population served 6320 people Status: Approved as Regional Bulk infrastructure Grant Province: Eastern Cape Jobs impact: • Direct project construction jobs: 8(Consulting engineer and Contractor) • Direct project construction jobs: 30 Projected cost to completion: R 31,1 million Original Project Scope: • Production drilling, including all the related actions, i.e. testing, licensing, water balance, geo-physical survey, water analysis, legal and environmental. • The installation of water supply pipelines for Middelburg from new wells each linking to the current municipal water supply network. 16

17. Middelburg Bulk Water Supply (Cont.) Extended scope: To resolve the water quality issue the following recommendations were made: • G-BH3 must be bio-remediated to remove the excessive bacterial growth. • • The water from the three boreholes must be treated through aeration and settling. Project schedule: • Project construction commenced November 2011 • Project completion : TBC pending the approval of additional funding Expenditure / Progress: Accumulated Expenditure – R 23 million Progress/Issues: • Construction is 100% complete; • Water has a sulphur smell; and • To resolve sulphur smell, the Implementation of recommendations made on extended scope is required. Connected issues: • Additional funding required to deal with sulphur smell Decisions required: • Additional Funding approved by DG in September to treat Sulphur smell on water.

18. Chris Hani DM SanitationMiddelburg • Middelburg does not experience the regular sewage spillages as is experienced in Cradock • A RBIG application for upgrading the waste water treatment works of Middelburg has recently been recommended for implementation by the EC Technical Appraisal Committee 18

19. Middelburg future bulk supply options The All Towns Reconciliation Strategy Study recommendations for Middelburg future bulk supplies are as follows: Immediate WC&WDM implementation (this includes ageing infrastructure replacements and upgrades to increase efficiency). Groundwater development of Balfour mudstone or Intergranular alluvial deposits. Possible abstraction from the Klein Brak River beyond 2035. Supply from the Orange River Project beyond 2035.

20. Conclusion • The number of sewage spillages in Cradock has reduced in the last 6 months • Holistic approach in ensuring compliance [local farming activates, waste management sites and waste water essential to combat pollution of the great fish river • The condition of the Cradock WWTW has not improved even though general housekeeping at Cradock WWTW is done, seen as an indication of the commitment by the district • Pump stations are working but insufficient capacity pumps and no standby units result in the works operated at a high risk of failure 20