Half-billion rand project to treat waste water finishes

A R590-million project to more than double the capacity of a waste water treatment facility in the East Rand, was completed recently.

The extension, at the Welgedacht plant near Springs, will help to cope with the increased demand for waste water treatment from Benoni, Boksburg, Springs, Bakerton and Daveyton.

The upgrade adds 50Ml of water purification per day, to the existing 35Ml per day.

“This project has taken quite a long time to be completed,” said Ekurhuleni mayor, Clr Mzwandile Masina.

“The planning alone for this important work began some eight years ago.

“Our institutions have spent a staggering R590-million over a period of four years.

“Thus today marks an important demonstration of the success of this big investment.”

Masina said this upgrade to the water treatment facility was an important step towards saving more water in Ekurhuleni, especially with the recent drought and current water restrictions in the city.

With heavy rains having caused floods across the city recently, he said water treatment in the country has to become more integrated with the water drainage system.

“I view the extension of this plant here in Ekurhuleni as an important contribution to this necessary objective,” the mayor said.

”Furthermore, we need to urgently put plans in place to improve our systems for rainwater harvesting, especially the channeling of the water that runs on the surface into purification systems that would later channel this water back into households and industry.”