DA PR councillor, Chrisma Bredenkamp, said she has received answers on the water shortages in Ward 14 from the Greater Tzaneen Municipality (GTM) municipal manager, Donald Mhangwana, after she sent him a list of questions. , especially on the new development in Adshade Street that may impact residents in Roger Mills Street. In his response, Mhangwana said that the municipality’s telemetry system used to measure reservoir water levels is very old and that GTM is in the process of upgrading it.
“The telemetry system is not working hence the level always reads 0.0% for the reservoir at the Georges Valley plant even though there is water in the reservoir,” Mhangwana answered. He said the development in Adshade Street will not have an impact on the water supply in Roger Mills Street. “The developer has submitted a proposal indicating a backup water system through boreholes and onsite storage on the premises and it was approved a long time ago.”
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He stated that the Mopani District Municipality (MDM), as the water service authority, is responsible for upgrading the dilapidated bulk water infrastructure as per a service level agreement (SLA) signed in October last year between the GTM and the MDM in order to address the water supply issues in the GTM. “MDM was informed about the current water supply challenges in Tzaneen and we requested their urgent intervention.
A proper check is kept of the number of pipe leaks, meter leaks, pipe bursts, and sewer blockages attended to on a monthly basis. Our maintenance teams are tirelessly maintaining it every day, but it is not solving the water shortage problems because the infrastructure needs to be upgraded by MDM.” Herald contacted MDM spokesperson, Odas Ngobeni. He said that they have plans in place to upgrade both the Tzaneen Water Treatment Plant and the Georges Valley Water Treatment Plant. “However, these plans are dependent on the issuance of a water usage licence tied to the finalisation of the raising of the Tzaneen Dam wall,” he said.
