Failing infrastructure is a constant topic, with numerous residents fuming over the state of the town. However, the Newcastle Municipality is demonstrating significant progress in addressing the persistent problems of water and sewage issues by prioritising the improvement of the local infrastructure.
Discussing the current projects, Newcastle Municipal Manager Zamani Mcineka explained that the Municipality has undertaken an ambitious initiative to upgrade the town’s infrastructure.
One of the key undertakings has been the rehabilitation of the Ingagane Pump Station.
Six weeks ago, an undisclosed number of individuals targeted the bridge near the pump station in an attempt to steal its steel components. This act of vandalism rendered the bridge unstable, prompting the perpetrators to abandon the scene. Subsequent heavy rainfalls and thunderstorms exacerbated the situation, causing the weakened bridge to collapse entirely.
The collapse caused extensive damage to the water and sewer lines attached to the Ingagane Pump Station, leading to significant water outages and sewage leaks throughout Newcastle. “uThukela Water then sent out a team to repair the water line after the matter was reported, and the Municipality began addressing the sewer line which saw multiple sewage leaks,” Mcineka stated. He added that the repairs were a monumental and time-sensitive effort to ensure the situation did not escalate and cause further damage.
Although this immediate issue has been resolved, the Municipality’s focus extends to other pump stations across Newcastle West and East.
According to Mcineka, the Ingagane Pump Station has now been fully repaired and is undergoing further improvements. “We have recently officially repaired the Ingagane Pump Station which has been problematic for some time. We rehabilitated it, installed new pumps, and we are now cleaning out the lines. This will ease the burden of the other functional pump stations and see the pump station pump the necessary sewage and water to the Water Treatment plant,” he explained.
The Newcastle Municipality is also addressing long-standing issues at the pump station and sanitation lines along Panorama Drive, which have been a concern for over a year. Mcineka noted the Municipality have been working relentlessly on the project and that the completion of this project is in sight and will significantly reduce recurring issues with sewage and water in the area.
Another significant milestone, according to Mcineka, is the restoration of the Madadeni Pump Station, which had remained non-functional for 12 years.
“This is truly a milestone as this pump house has not been operational for 12 years, putting immense strain on the Municipality and residents. We managed to complete the repairs on Tuesday, 19 November 2024, and will be turning the station on Thursday, 21 November 2024,” he stated.
Furthermore, the Madadeni Pump Station plays a crucial role in transferring sewage and water to the main water treatment plant. Its restoration is expected to bring significant improvements to the town’s overall water and sewage systems. Mcineka elaborated that the repairs will help minimise leaks while alleviating the burden on other infrastructure.
Despite these advances, the Newcastle Municipality is grappling with substantial financial challenges in carrying out these essential repairs. Mcineka acknowledged the high costs, stating that the repairs in Madadeni alone amount to over R1.9 billion, while addressing issues in Newcastle West is expected to exceed R7 million.
“We want to ensure that the Municipality is compliant with its water infrastructure, not only for the Municipality itself but for the community,” he explained, adding that the Newcastle Municipality has applied for funding from the National Treasury and engaged a service provider to secure the necessary resources for these projects.
As part of the broader plan, the Municipality aims to replace outdated asbestos pipes and resolve other long-standing infrastructure problems. Mcineka emphasised, “The majority of the pipes are asbestos which need to be removed, and there is also a lot of aging infrastructure which needs to be resolved as soon as possible, and the Municipality is taking steps to address the matter.”
Lastly, Mcineka also urged the community and local businesses to play their part in protecting the sanitation system. Improper disposal practices have exacerbated existing challenges. “The biggest offending businesses were food outlets who poured fats and oils into the system, which damaged the pipes, while residents would shove cloths and other foreign objects into their ablution facilities. We have even pulled out cow and goat hides from the system. While we are not denying the Municipality’s role in the situation, we are asking businesses and residents to avoid putting foreign objects into the sanitation system,” he stated.
As the Newcastle Municipality has assured residents that it is taking all necessary steps to address the water and sewage challenges, what are your thoughts on the above?
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Comments 6
Hi my opinion is that when you change the asbestos pipe replace them with the steel pipes thanks
If this issue was address and continuously improved 20 years ago, this would not have been an issue. Newcastle local municipality, instead of waiting for infrastuctucture, this includes roads, water and electricity, rather implement a maintenance plan, before waiting for chaos to erupt, and citizens whom pay their municipal bills, to be discomforted. In the previous history of South Africa, this has never been an issue. Because things were addressed continuously , not only when things fell apart. Do the jobs you are significantly remunerated for.
I want the Job because I can work under pressure
Work well in progress,it is gratifying to note that long standing infrastructure challenges are being swiftly addressed by the municipality, a clarion call to the communities to act & behave prudently & judicious use of their ablution facilities is essential & imperative, correct disposal practices can not be overemphasized, rehabilitation & restoration of facilities & infrastructure is extremely expensive.
Not aplaudable that they fix things that they allowed to collapse by not doing maintenance in the 1st place. Shoul we now thank tem for doing the job the are getting paid to do ? Why did they leave it and badically ran it to failure in the 1st place ?
Such services should be done not only in townships but also in rural areas like Anneville, Kilkeel, Rutland Nellieville, etc. They should also have personnel to monitor leakages, burst pipes and damaged infrastructure to avoid recurring damages.