CHDM applies for funding to repair wastewater works

Chris Hani District Municipality (CHDM) has applied for funding from the department of human settlement to fix the Komani and Cala (Elliot) wastewater treatment works.

The funding could help speed up the work and fight pollution.

In Komani, a biofilter is choked with sludge and the pollution affects the Komani River and commercial farmers.

In Cala, the treatment works are dysfunctional which affects residents, the environment and the Sland River.

CHDM has 19 wastewater treatment works across the district, seven of which are not fully functional.

Speaking during a council meeting on Monday, CHDM executive mayor Lusanda Sizani said the district authority was responsible for the treatment works, through the Rathwick Project.

“The department of human settlements once funded the Cala bulk services project but later withdrew its funding commitment due to slow implementation of the project, leaving a project with a shortfall of about R50m,” he said.

Sizani said the department’s regional office was contacted to resuscitate the collaboration in implementing the bulk services projects.

“The Rathwick project is seeking to address the housing backlog of Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality.

“The Cala wastewater treatment works is also part of Cala bulk services project,” he said.

Sizani said the regional head requested a submission of the request to be accompanied by the council resolution.

“It was indicated that Cala could potentially be funded with R7m and Komani with R10m,” he said.

Sizani said as part of the district municipality’s programme of visiting its local municipalities they have seen the situation of the wastewater treatment works.

“Our aim is to bring services to the people and the funding will help us address the water issues affected our local municipalities,” he said.

Sizani urged council to note and accept the report on the progress on both wastewater treatment works’ application for funding from the department.

DA councillor Monde Desha accepted the report and urged council not to misuse the money.

“This is a good initiative and I fully support it. “However, the money must not go to the wrong pockets.

“The funding must be used for the right project, the funding is meant for wastewater treatment works in Cala and Komani and it must be used for such,” he said.