According to the latest Drop regulatory assessments released by the department of water and sanitation (DWS), the Kakamas-based local authority’s water and sanitation services have regressed to a critical state despite repeated noncompliance notices by DWS.

Sello Seitlholo visited the municipality recently to address the poor performance. Kai!Garib is a water services authority responsible for water supply services and wastewater management for four towns including Kakamas, Keimoes, Kenhardt and Vredesvallei.

It relies on the Orange River and a canal that is managed by Kakamas Water User Association as the main water source supplying water supply systems and water storage ponds located at the existing water treatment works.

The municipality has a history of noncompliance with its water management. Photo: Pexel.com

The canal flows from a weir alongside the Orange River in a small settlement, Marchand, and is used for irrigation of agricultural activities, particularly vineyards at Kakamas.

The municipality has a history of noncompliance with its water and sanitation services, and it has done little to rectify the situation.

The municipality’s 2023 Blue Drop score has dropped significantly to 16.20% from 71.42% in 2014, with all 16 of its water supply systems now classified in the critical performance category.

Wastewater services have also experienced an even more dramatic decline. The 2024 Green Drop score fell to 0.3% from 13% in 2021 and 34% in 2013. Keimoes and Kenhardt both scored 0%, while the Vredesvallei plant remained out of operation for longer than three years.

The municipality has also failed to take reasonable measures to prevent the continuous overflow of sewage from manholes, dysfunctional pump stations, storm water, and oxidation ponds in the four towns, which continues to deteriorate gradually, resulting in contamination.

Water services in Kai!Garib municipality in the Northern Cape has reached a critical stage. Photo: Pexel.com

“Water and sanitation services in Kai!Garib municipality has reached a critical state, and the reality is that this municipality requires joint interventions from the departments of water and sanitation and cooperative governance and traditional affairs,” said Seitlholo.

“I have ordered the municipality to submit their corrective action plans before end of June, to restore the infrastructure that will provide clean drinking water and dignified sanitation to the communities.”

OFM Agri/Isabel van Tonder sm

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