The poor performance by Mopani District Municipality (MDM) in the 2023 Blue Drop Watch Report by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is a cause for concern.
The report tabled during a council sitting on 31 January 2024 council depicts a low score of 56% for the 2023 assessment by DWS.
The required minimum percentage for the blue drop certification assessments for water treatment plants is a 96% aggregate.
MDM has a total of seventeen (17) water treatment works and the worst performing plant is “The Oaks” water treatment plant in Maruleng Municipality scoring a concerning 38% during the DWS assessment in the 19-21 January 2023 assessment.
The DA has written to the Municipal Manager,Tshepo Mogano, to request information on the procurement of water purification detergents and budget breakdown of water purification detergents for the year under review.
We further recommend:
- The urgent appointment of suitably qualified and competent labor force to manage water treatment plants;
- That the municipality outlines and develops the blue drop certificate improvement strategy to provide access to clean drinking water;
- Adequate budget allocation during the mid-term budget adjustment to improve the blue drop certification;
The DA will monitor the worst performing treatment plants and continue to fight for the improvement of the quality of drinking water in Mopani.