1.REPORT OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL SERVICES ON AN OVERSIGHT VISIT TO THE MANGAUNGLOCAL MUNICIPALITY IN THE FREE STATE PROVINCE, FROM 07 TO11 SEPTEMBER 2015, DATED 20 OCTOBER 2015.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.INTRODUCTION

2.STRATEGIC FOCUS OF OVERSIGHT VISIT

3.FOCUS AREAS OF THE OVERSIGHT VISIT

3.1 Bulk Water Supply

3.2 Bucket Eradication Programme

4.SITES VISITED AND BRIEFINGS DURING THE OVERSIGHT

4.1Bucket Eradication Programme

4.2Bulk Water Supply

4.3Bloemwater Conduit Hydropower Plant

4.4Rustfontein Dam and Water Reservoir

5.CHALLENGES

6.RECOMMENDATIONS

7.CONCLUSION

PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION

  1. Ms LC Dlamini – Chairperson: Select Committee on Social Services
  2. Mr HB Groenewald
  3. Ms TK Mampuru –Whip
  4. Ms TG Mpambo-Sibhukwana
  5. Ms PC Samka
  6. Mr DM Stock (Apology)
  7. Ms L Mathys
  8. Mr M Khawula (Apology)
  9. Mrs LL Zwane
  10. Ms MF Tlake (Apology)

PARLIAMENTARY OFFICIALS

  1. Ms Marcelle Williams – Committee Secretary
  2. Ms Thabile Ketye – Content Advisor
  3. Mr Gunther Mankay – Committee Assistant
  4. Mr Mkhululi Molo – Committee Researcher
  5. Mr Sean Whiting – Committee Researcher

1.INTRODUCTION

The Select Committee on Social Services (hereinafter, the Committee) conducted an oversight visit to the Free State Province. The oversight visit took place during the week of 07 to11 September 2015. The decision to conduct an oversight visit to this Province followed a decision taken during the National Council of Province’s (NCOP) Strategic Planning session held on 1-2 September 2014 and Annual Planning Session held on 24-25 March 2015.

In the Free State, the Committee mainly visited Bloemfontein which is located within the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, and Trompsburg which is located within the Kopanong Local Municipality. The purpose of the visit was to conduct oversight on the eradication of the bucket programmein formal settlements and bulk water supply by the Bloem Water Board, an entity of the Department of Water and Sanitation.

More specifically, the Committee visited the following sites:

  • Bloemwater’s conduit hydropower facility at the Brandkop Reservoir;
  • Kopanong Local Municipality for the Bucket Eradication Programme;
  • Rustfontein Dam and Water Reservoir which is managed by Bloem Water.

This report provides an overview of the areas the oversight focused on, highlights the findings from the sites that were visited, and reported challenges. Based on these, recommendations and issues for follow-up were identified and made.

2.STRATEGIC FOCUS OF OVERSIGHT VISIT

The Constitution clearly stipulates that access to dignified sanitation is a basic human right. This is in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF), priorities of the Fifth term of Parliament, and the mandate of the Committee.

The President reiterated that the NDP is the country’s socio-economic blueprint and one of the key achievements over the past five years. According to the NDP water is a strategic resource for critical socio-economic development. Further it is acknowledged that South Africa is a water scarce country hence greater attention should be paid to water management and use. Moreover, it is acknowledged that water supply and sanitation services are vital for community health, development, cohesion and continued economic activity.[1]

In giving impetus to the vision of the NDP, the Fifth administration (of the democratic dispensation) established a new Department of Water and Sanitation to ensure that the right to wateris realised. In this regard, the Department of Water and Sanitation took a decision to focus attention on the households using the bucket toilet as a means of sanitation in the formal settlements, with the intention of replacing all such systems with waterborne sanitation by December 2015. Further, the Department proposed developing an implementation plan that will address the informal areas in 2016/17. The estimated cost for the eradication of the general sanitation backlog was estimated to be R50 billion.

The development and management of water resources and the delivery of water services are currently guided by the Water Services Act[2] and the National Water Act (No. 36 of 1998). In 2003, a Strategic Framework for Water Services was developed as a result of significant changes in the responsibilities of local government, alongside a transformation in water sector institutions. Several detailed strategies have been developed to give effect to the implementation of this framework. The NWA of 1998 provides for the establishment of water sector institutions as vehicles for the implementation of sector policies.

The management and protection of water resources and the development, operation and maintenance of national and regional bulk water resources infrastructure are the responsibility of the Department of Water and Sanitation through its various agencies: the Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA), Water Boards and regional DWS offices. Municipal water treatment works and distribution and reticulation systems are the responsibility of local government through water services authorities.

The South African Government reviewed the first edition of the National Water Resource Strategy (NWRS I) and came up with the second National Water Resource Strategy (NWRS II). The Department of Water and Sanitation as well as stakeholders within the water sector are guided by the NWRS II. The NWRS IIplaces water at the centre of economic planning and supports economic and social development goals without compromising the long-term sustainability of water resources. It sets out the strategic direction for water resources management in the country for the next 20 years, with a particular focus on priorities and objectives for the period 2013–2017. Notwithstanding the water sector management challenges, the South African Water Sector Management provides a conducive environment within which all its inhabitants can access reliable and quality water supply and adequate sanitation.

At the recent Water and Sanitation Summit, held in Gauteng from 01-02 August 2015, a commitment was undertaken to develop a Water and Sanitation Ten-Year Plan as the water and sanitation pillar of the NDP.The Water and Sanitation Ten-Year Planentails these four cornerstones:

  • The development of an inclusive, empowering and integrated water and sanitation policy and legislative environment,
  • An innovative and inclusive service delivery model driven by research and technology especially with regards to alternative solutions to ensure universal coverage,
  • The third National Water Resources Strategy which will ensure South Africa’s long term sustainable water securitybecause of climate change and increased development needs.
  • A novel public-private sector partnership to ensure optimum service delivery for all as well as to develop a competitive South African Water Industry.

3.FOCUS AREAS OF THE OVERSIGHT VISIT

In terms of assessing progress in the implementation of the identified programmes and projects, the Committee focused on the following imperatives:

  • Bulk potable water supply to the citizens of Free State through local municipalities;
  • The successes and challenges in bulk potable water supply;
  • Water infrastructure management;
  • Water resource shortage due to rising service levels and high water losses: requiring repair of water leaks; effective water conservation and demand management; and regional bulk-water infrastructure to augment local resources.
  • Ageing infrastructure requiring repairs or refurbishment; planned replacement of infrastructure reaching “end of life”.
  • Operation and maintenance of strategic assets (for example, water resources, treatment worksand pump stations) requiring interventions and skills development.
  • Compliance with the second National Water Resource Strategy (NWRS II);
  • Status of the Bucket Eradication Programme and the beneficiaries of flushing toilets.

3.1 Bulk Water Supply

Bloem Water, which is one of nine Water Boards in the country, isthe entity providing water services to the Bloemfontein area. It was formerly known as the Bloem Area Water Board, and was established in 1991 in terms with the Water Services Act (Act 108 of 1997).

This Water Board was established to operate the Caledon/Bloemfontein Government Water Scheme and supply purified water to the municipal areas of Bloemfontein, Bainsvlei, Bloemspruit, Botshabelo and Dewetsdorp. In 1995, the service area of Bloem Water was extended to include the southern Free State, adding towns such as Bethulie, Philippolis, Trompsburg, Springfontein, Fauriesmith and Jaggersfontein. Also in 1996, the then Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs further added the area of supply to include the Thaba Nchu district, which stretched the responsibility of Bloem Water to cover rural areas. Bloem Water supplies water to a population in excess of 1.2 million people in the areas of service; whereby the following Water Service Authorities (that is, Municipalities) are serviced: Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality; Mantsopa Local Municipality; Naledi Local Municipality; and Kopanong Local Municipality.

The primary activity of Water Boards is to provide water services (bulk potable and bulk waste water) to other water services institutions within their respective service areas. They may perform other activities under conditions set out in the Water Services Act, 1997. In certain situations, the Minister of Water and Sanitation may direct Water Boards to amend their business plans to meet all the requirements of the Water Services Act, 1997.

However there are complexities arising because planning takes place at the local level; building of houses is a provincial level responsibility; and provision of water, sanitation and electricity is split between the departments responsible for bulk services and reticulation.

3.2 Bucket Eradication Programme

The Free State Province had the highest bucket sanitation backlog at the onset of the accelerated Bucket Eradication Programme in 2006. To assist the municipalities to increase the rate of bucket eradication, the Free State Provincial Department of Local Government and Housing in partnership with the Department of Water and Sanitation (former Department of Water Affairs and Forestry) and Treasury conducted one-on-one sessions with municipalities to assess their readiness to meet the delivery targets.

The findings from this process showed that out of a total of 19 Local Municipalities participating in the Bucket Eradication Programme, 13 Local Municipalities did not have any major challenges that could affect their ability to meet the December 2007 target. The remaining 6 Municipalities faced significant challenges; this group included Mangaung, Masilonyana, Matjhabeng, Ngwathe, Mantsopa and Setsoto municipalities.

4.SITES VISITED AND BRIEFINGS DURING THE OVERSIGHT

The Committee received briefings from the role-players and stakeholders in the form of PowerPoint presentations prior to undertaking site visits. The briefings were followed by discussions where the Members of Parliament (MPs) asked questions to explore and probe on issues raised (during the presentations).

Information presented in this report therefore comes from the information collected from presentations and observations.

4.1Bucket Eradication Programme

The Bloem Water Board is an implementing agent for the Free State Water and Sanitation Programme with the primary aim of ensuring the eradication of the bucket sanitation system in the Province, over a three year period. The programme commenced in November 2013.

The following municipalities were identified to have waste water challenges: Moqhaka, Setsoto, Ngwathe, Matjhabeng, Nala, Mafube, and Kopanong Local Municipality. It had been recommended that the latter projects be prioritised to complete the Bucket Eradication Programme.

Mangaung Municipality eradicated the following categories of buckets: All the 680 pre-1994 buckets were eradicated from Meriteng and JB Mafora Wards in Mangaung Township in 2008. In addition to the pre-1994 buckets, the Municipality eradicated 2763 post-1994 buckets from the same township. Another 7305 post-1994 buckets were eradicated from Botshabelo. Therefore, the Municipality eradicated a total 10748 buckets during the accelerated Bucket Eradication Programme phase. The municipality set a target for the eradication of the remaining buckets by 2014.

Bucket eradication projects are located in the towns of Bethulie, Fauresmith and Trompsburg, in the Kopanong Local Municipality.

The Committee was taken to view a few bucket free toilets in a formal settlement in the Kopanong Local Municipality. It was found that some houses in the formal settlements are sink shack structures with an outside toilet. Many toilets had dilapidated doors and were filthy.

4.2Bulk Water Supply

A presentation by the Department of Water and Sanitation revealed that the Free State province is experiencing the following challenges:

  • Local water resources are inadequate and are starting to fail due to over-commitments and drought.
  • Ageing Infrastructure, vandalism and cable theft affects most of the Department’s infrastructure. These lead to irregular water supply and sewer spillages. Lack of operation and maintenance aggravate the problem at the Local Municipalities.
  • Regional bulk infrastructure is required to bring surplus water from the Orange and Vaal rivers into the interior.
  • Water losses are high and all towns must introduce strict Water Conservation and Water Demand Management practices.
  • Municipalities are not budgeting for operation and maintenance of water supply and sanitation services.

4.3Bloemwater Conduit Hydropower Plant

The Bloem Water Conduit Hydropower Plant is located within the Bloem Water Board precinct. The Conduit Hydropower is a method of using the mechanical energy of water as part of the water delivery system through man-made conduits to generate.[3] Conduits are said to be existing water pipelines, such as those in bulk water supply and distribution system.

Considering the energy challenges facing South Africa currently, the University of Pretoria supported by the Water Research Commission and collaborating organisations such as the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, Bloem Water and the eThekwini Municipality, engaged in a research project to investigate and demonstrate the potential of extracting the available energy from existing and newly installed water supply and distribution systems.

The aim of the project was to enable the owners and administrators of bulk water supply and distribution systems to install small-scale hydropower systems to generate hydroelectricity for on-site use; and to supply energy to isolated electricity demand clusters or even to the national electricity grid, depending on the location, type and size of installation.

The Conduit Hydropower taps into an unutilised source of hydropower by using excess energy in pressurised conduits to produce clean and renewable hydroelectric power. In addition, the Bloemwater Conduit Hydropower Plant can yield the following benefits[4]:

  • This technology has proven to be a huge success in converting to a sustainable energy source as the main supply of energy for operating the Bloem Water head office in Pellisier. It supplies 96 kW/h of energy from a pressurised conduit, to power up its operational facilities, with a full capacity of 360 kW.
  • The benefit of this hydropower-generating application is that minimal civil works are required. There are virtually no negative environmental or social effects requiring mitigation and the anticipated lead times are short.
  • Sufficient renewable energy is generated to supply the peak demand of Bloem Water's head office as well as meeting the electricity requirements of the reservoir terrain. Annually ±800 MWh could be generated with this micro-hydropower installation.
  • Hydropower schemes have very long lifetimes and high efficiency levels with low operating and maintenance costs. Hydroelectric energy technology is a proven technology that offers high efficiencies as well as reliable and flexible operation.

4.4Rustfontein Dam and Water Reservoir

Currently the dam is filled to 25 percent capacity, due to water scarcity. This is being mitigated by the Department of Water and Sanitation supplying water to the Dams as well as a pipeline that has been fitted from Gariep to Bloemfontein.

The dam supplies water to 37 villages. Communities are supplied with water 24 hours a day through the provision of Jojo tanks. Where necessary, water is transported to villages via steel tanks. The pumps are kept in good condition.

The Municipality assists by enforcing water restrictions when needed.

5.CHALLENGES

A number of challenges were identified during the oversight visit. These are listed below.

  • Water supply management: Water shortages are a challenge, due to lessened rainfall which is leading to drought.
  • Water quality management.
  • Operation and maintenance.
  • Integrated infrastructure development management due to aging infrastructure.
  • Vandalism of infrastructure and cable theft have become a problem.
  • Resource management (finances, human capital).
  • The community demand for waterborne sanitation systems while municipalities lack adequate budgets to build the required infrastructure within the time frame of the accelerated Bucket Eradication Programme.
  • Bloem Water Board has deficits due to non-payment from clients. Some of the clients are Local Municipalities who are not in a position to pay the entity.
  • Stoppages of projects by subcontractors due to delayed payments.
  • There are slow procurement processes in municipalities; and
  • Poor performance by some contractors and consultants.
  • Land issues, low budget allocations as well as unpaid accounts by the residents from the Municipality’s perspective is the reason for insufficient housing.
  • Educating the Community in terms of cleanliness is a big issue. Residents are not taking responsibility for the toilets provided by keeping them hygienic and clean.
  • There is no differentiation of bucket backlog according the definition of Bucket Eradication Programmeof pre- and post- 1994 buckets.

6.RECOMMENDATIONS

The Committee deliberated and concluded that in the main, the following are crucial in strengthening the projects visited:

  • As part of the Bloem Water Board’s social responsibility, the Committee recommended funding the costs for the building of the required houses.
  • The Local Municipalities together with the Department should have awareness campaigns to educate the communities on cleanliness and hygiene.
  • Auditing of financial statements, as well of debts being paid is crucial in providing efficient services to clients. There should be better financial management to address debts and payment of services.
  • Municipalities should find innovative ways of collecting outstanding revenue from its citizens.Timeous payments should be made by all stakeholders so that funds are readily available for various projects. Water accounts must be paid to Bloem Water to maintain bulk water services to the area.
  • Proper, comprehensive planning prior commencement of projects is crucial.
  • Innovation in the sector is required. Use of water-friendly ablution facilities should be considered.
  • There should be comprehensive monitoring and reporting of progress.

7.CONCLUSION