This after the decontamination of the Vaal River which supplies Kroonstad downstream has severely affected communities and neighbouring farms. The department confirms a discharge of untreated wastewater into the Vaal River has resulted in the death of cattle after they were exposed to the raw sewage.

Departmental spokesperson, Larry Crisp, says the department is also calling on the community of Lindley to refrain from vandalsing water and sanitation structures as this has proven to have a detrimental effect on service delivery to the community.

Crisp adds the Lindley Waste Water Treatment Plants was vandalised because of being non-operational for a while due to a lack of maintenance by the local municipality. This situation seemingly gave an opportunity for criminals to steal some parts of the infrastructure and to sell it to scrapyards.

He, in a statement, highlights the department recently funded the refurbishment of the same plant in an effort to redress the challenge faced by the residence of Lindley.

"It is the responsibility of the Municipality to maintain the WWTP, and this includes replacing faulty pumps and electrical components. It is unfortunate that most municipalities fail to budget for maintenance and repair of the WWTP".

Meanwhile, head of the department, Tseliso Ntili, has further appealed to members of the community to stand up against vandalism of water structures and pollution of water resources.

OFM News