Deputy minister of water and sanitation Dr Jack Bloom revealed the extent of the crisis during an oversight visit to Mangaung on Tuesday (12/10), where he assessed progress in repairing two wastewater treatment plants facing criminal charges for environmental pollution. The metro reportedly spends only 2% of the asset value annually on operations and maintenance, despite 8% being required to ensure sustainable performance.

The Botshabelo Wastewater Treatment Works is reportedly non-functional following cable theft and the vandalism of pump stations. Sewage passes through the plant untreated before flowing into the Klein Modder River. Repairs estimated at R16.5m are expected to be completed by the end of December, although the facility is only likely to return to full operation by March, Bloom said.

Deputy minister of water and sanitation Dr Jack Bloom visited Mangaung. Photo supplied

The Sterkwater Wastewater Treatment Works is also non-functional due to vandalism and malfunctioning screw lift pumps at the inlet, resulting in sewage bypassing the treatment process and entering the environment.

Repairs costing R25m are expected to restore the plant’s ability to treat 20-million litres of wastewater daily by early next year. However, Bloom warned the facility will still require an upgrade to handle 35-million litres a day.

He said the existing pumps would continue to break down frequently because they cannot cope with the volume of wastewater entering the plant.

Deputy minister of water and sanitation Dr Jack Bloom on his visit to Mangaung metro. Photo supplied

“My department laid criminal charges for pollution against the Botshabelo and Sterkwater works in April and May 2025 after compliance directives were ignored. Water tests show alarmingly high levels of E. coli and ammonia.

“I saw the poor state of the Renosterspruit, which is heavily polluted by the Sterkwater works. Residents are understandably outraged by the condition of this dirty brown river that previously supported fish and wildlife.”

The crisis is compounded by severe staffing shortages, with vacancy rates of 44% at Sterkwater and 65% at Botshabelo.

The metro is also facing a shortage of maintenance vehicles, with only one technical maintenance team responsible for all thirteen wastewater treatment works and 19 sewer pump stations.

Bloom said armed security was essential to protect the facilities from further vandalism as refurbishment work continues to prevent untreated sewage from polluting local rivers.

He expressed encouragement over plans to establish water and sanitation as a separate business unit under National Treasury’s Metro Trading Services Reform (MTSR), saying this could help ensure that revenue generated by the services is reinvested into the sector.

“I am encouraged that water and sanitation is being set up as a separate business unit in terms of MTSR. This means that revenue will be ring-fenced to ensure it is reinvested back into water and sanitation instead of being spent elsewhere.”

Bloom said the department would closely monitor the implementation of repairs and upgrades, with further funding dependent on performance and strict, independently verified operational and financial milestones.

He also intends to advocate for partnerships with private companies to produce biogas and fertiliser from sewage sludge, potentially creating additional economic value from wastewater treatment. During the visit, Bloom also inspected the water-filled Heidedal quarry, where children have drowned amid concerns about inadequate fencing.

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