The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has signed a Blue Deal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to improve the performance of wastewater treatment plants in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, in order to battle pollution of the Crocodile River.
The Dutch Blue Deal Programme (2018- 2030) assists national and regional governments around the world in strengthening Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) by enhancing organizational functionality, improving knowledge and expertise, and increasing collaboration with national and regional key stakeholders.
The Blue Deal’s global goal is to help 20 million people in 40 catchment areas throughout the world obtain access to clean, sufficient, and safe drinking water.
The parties formalized their regional partnership through the regional Memorandum of Understanding inked this week.
The Memorandum of Understanding outlines how regional, local, and provincial parties will work together to combat pollution in the Crocodile River within the Inkomati-Usuthu Water Management Area (referred to as the Crocodile River Project).
“Nothing in this regional MoU shall have the effect of or be interpreted as (a) affecting any regional party’s constitutional or statutory mandate; or (b) requiring any regional party to do anything that would conflict with that party’s legal mandate,” according to the agreement.
David Mahlobo, the Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, stated that he expects the parties to develop and implement an action plan in accordance with the agreement.
According to Mahlobo, the country is not now experiencing a national water crisis, and citizens in South Africa will not run out of water; nevertheless, the concern is that water will become unusable due to pollution.
“South Africa has too much dirty water, and polluters must pay,” Mahlobo added.
He also warned towns that poor water quality has a negative impact on public health.
“It has the potential to cause waterborne diseases.” It has an impact on the environment and the economy if your water is of poor quality. When water is contaminated, the government must intervene.
“To the IUCMA [Inkomati-Usuthu Catchment Management Agency], stop the pollution, but don’t just look at municipalities; look at agriculture, industries, and mining as well,” Mahlobo said.
The Deputy Minister also urged the department and its Dutch partners to look at other rivers in Mpumalanga Province, such as the Olifants, Usuthu, and others, rather than focusing solely on the Crocodile River.
Hans Schepman, the Chairperson of the Dutch Water Authorities, alluded to the consequences of climate change and emphasized the necessity of cooperation and collaboration.
“Climate change impacts everyone on the planet.” The Blue Deal is unique in that it is for a period of 12 years, with eight years remaining. The program’s ultimate goal is to make the Crocodile River healthy and drinkable.
“It’s about increasing capacity to meet the lack of capacity in wastewater treatment plants,” says the author. The recent Green Drop results demonstrate that South Africa still has a long way to go, and the signing of the MOU demonstrates the necessary cooperation and support,” Schepman added.
Mandla Ndlovu, Mpumalanga’s MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, praised the initiative and called for the inclusion of more rivers and catchments.
“We applaud the idea to empower municipalities and urge it to be replicated in other rivers and catchments.”
“We also ask that the Department provide greater resources to the province.” Pollution of water results in the extinction of life. “Water is life; please take care of it,” Ndlovu added. “Clean water begins with you.”
The regional Inkomati-Usuthu Blue Deal project focuses on addressing Crocodile River pollution, with an initial focus on sanitation implications in Mbombela Local Municipality, Nkomazi Local Municipality, and Emakhazeni Local Municipality.
The restoration and performance optimization of two Waste Water Treatment Works, each in Mbombela Local Municipality, Nkomazi Local Municipality, and Emakhazeni Local Municipality, has been designated as the beginning point for the Blue Deal Combating Pollution of the Crocodile River.