No Item Action 1. WELCOME M Machongoane The Chair welcomed all attendees. 2. INTRODUCTION OF ATTENDEES

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1 MINUTES WILGE RIVER FORUM 31 May 2016 Venue : Mafube Municipality -Frankfort Library 10:00 13:00 No Item Action 1. WELCOME M Machongoane The Chair welcomed all attendees. 2. INTRODUCTION OF ATTENDEES All attendees introduced themselves. 3. APOLOGIES Malise Noe DWS James Mofokeng DWS Emmah Malatji- DWS 4. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING Minutes were adopted as a true reflection as discussed in the previous meeting. 5. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MINUTES 7.1 RAND WATER R Hariram confirmed that licence discharge standards were received but it was very late to include them in the water quality report. The standards will be incorporated in the next coming report. 7.2 DWS V Nkuna indicated that sampling commenced from April 2016, and water quality presentation will be given in the next forum, due to that the available data is not sufficient to be presented in today s meeting. 7.3 SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT mentioned that N Malise has extended the forum invitation to her Manager to ensure that solid waste officials from DWS participate in the Wilge forum meetings, because most of the issues under this item are pending. indicated that non-compliance letter was issued to Phumelela Municipality for illegal dumping of solid waste and DWS did not receive any response from Municipality. Forum stakeholders requested DWS to resolve the matter because it is long overdue and ensure that Phumelela Municipality complies with the law. P Shibambo indicated that T Jonhson should approach Compliance and Page 1

2 Enforcement Directorate at Vaal River CMA for relieve on the matter. Report back on the next meeting. indicted that Mafube Municipality is currently under financial constraints and no upgrade of solid waste site will happen at the moment, but Municipality will try to fence the site. also indicated that DWS has issued non-compliance letter to Municipality, but no response received. N Radebe to invite Mafube: Solid Waste Official to attend the next forum meeting and provide feedback. P Shibambo suggested that DWS should urgently intervene on the matter and provide feedback in the next meeting. N Radebe 8.3 DIHLABENG MUNICIPALITY M Machogoana indicated that spillage that took place at one of Bethlehem WWTWs pump station was due to electrical failure, but the matter was resolved and the pump station is working. 8.6 MAP WATER V Nkuna indicated that DWS has conducted inspection at Harrismith WWTWs to investigate dry sludge disposal adjacent the WWTWs, and during the inspection there was no sludge disposal was detected. 10 POLLUTION INCIDENTS V Nkuna indicated that DWS conducted a follow-up site inspection in March 2016 and the site was rehabilitated. The Department is waiting for closure report from Tanker Services INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS AT MUNICIPALITIES M Machogoane indicated that Dihlabeng Municipality and some of Municipalities has already held a meeting with DWS, the aim of the meeting was to ensure that water services are ring-fenced. M Machogoane also indicated that water and sanitation maters at Municipal level are note prioritised; therefore task team between Municipalities and DWS will assist with the improvement at the WWTWs. M Machogoane also encouraged other municipalities to participate in task team meetings and play a role in protecting water resources. 6. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA Dam Safety presentation. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSIONS WATER QUALITY MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT RAND WATER Rand Water presented water quality results for the period of 1 January 2016 to 31 March 2016 and sampling points with problematic variables are Page 2

3 indicated below due to contribution of Waste Water Treatment Systems and other activities in the catchment: WLBB there was non-compliance of nitrates and fluoride for this period (1 January 2016 to 31 March 2016). EQQ there was non-compliance of ammonia, fluoride, COD and nitrate for this period because of upstream activities. Alkalinity has improved. WLR there were non-compliance of ammonia and nitrate for the whole period. Chloride has improved. WLA Lesotho highlands Ash River Outfall - There was a non-compliance of COD and nitrate has improved for this period.. Sterk (Sterkfontein Dam) there was non-compliance of fluoride and nitrate, but the rest of variables were complying. WN- there was non-compliance of fluoride and nitrate for this period. WAH there was non-compliance of fluoride, ammonia and nitrate for this period. WH there was non-compliance of ammonia, fluoride, COD and nitrate for this period. WLB there was non-compliance of COD for this period. WJ there was non-compliance of ammonia, conductivity and phosphate for this period. Alkalinity and nitrate has increased. WMW there was improvement of chloride, nitrate and COD for this period. WAF there was non-compliance of fluoride and nitrate for this period. WE- there was non-compliance of ammonia, COD, fluoride, nitrate for this period. Conductivity has improved. WF there was non-compliance of COD, fluoride and nitrate for this period. P Shibambo suggested that monitoring points that Rand Water are no longer sampling should be removed from the report. R Hariram indicated that Rand Water is already in process of changing them. P Shibambo also asked why ecoli is not being analysed in all monitoring points. R Hariram indicated that they only analysed ecoli only on WWTWs and two strategic in stream points, other reason is due to cost cutting measures. V Nkuna asked how monitoring points linked to the activities in the catchment. R Hariram indicated that for easy understanding linkage between monitoring points and activities, stakeholders should access the catchment map on the reservoir. 7.2 DWS Refer to item No 5 under 7.1 (DWS). 7.3 SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT indicted that feedback on the current issues will be given in the next forum with assistance from N Malise. Page 3

4 CATCHMENT ACTIVITIES FEEDBACK FROM STAKEHOLDERS PHUMELELA MUNICIPALITY No attendance from the Municipality. Stakeholders suggested that report should be forwarded even representative is not attending the forum. There was also a concern that Phumelela Municipality is not uploading water quality data under Green Drop System (GDS), and Municipality is also not attending forum meetings. It was also indicated that DWS is developing a system that will remind Municipal Managers to upload data under GDS. M Machongoane indicated that the support from management at Municipality is lacking. P Shibambo suggested that those Municipalities which are not attending forum meetings, DWS should engage with Municipal Managers to ensure good attendance from Municipalities. 8.2 NKETOANA MUNICIPALITY L Ramulwela indicated that Municipality has completed the project of refurbishment of Reitz pump station and currently there are pillages detected. L Ramulwela also indicated that Reitz WWTWs is still experiencing challenges with capacity but no spillages. Water Quality report from January-April 2016 was presented with indication of high COD, ammonia, ecoli, phosphate, conductivity, nitrate and suspended solids. The water quality at Reitz WWTWs is not complying with licence discharge standards due to capacity. K de Villiers indicated that Municipality should update their limits on the GDS. DWS also confirmed that Nketoana Municipality is complying in terms of uploading their data under GDS. DWS was tasked to follow-up with project manager when to commence with the upgrade of Reitz WWTWs. L Ramulwela has confirmed to date Municipality did not receive monthly update on the project from DWS. 8.3 DIHLABENG MUNICIPALITY DWS P Shibambo O Esau indicted that Bethlehem WWTWs currently experiencing both mechanical and electrical challenges. Lack of processes controllers also contribute to malfunction of WWTWs. Municipality is currently busy repairing seven aerators and also installing fence around the WWTWs. The water quality results presented by Municipality indicated that ecoli it is not complying with general standards. K de Villiers indicted that Municipality should measure water quality against licence standards. Municipality is in process of refurbishing the pump station adjacent liebensbergvlei. M Machogoane indicated that back-up system (generator) will also be Page 4

5 installed at the pump station to assist during power failures. M Machogoane also indicted that Municipality is working on relocating of sewer pipeline inside the Loch-Athlone dam. Municipality has already appointed Engineer to assess impact caused by pipeline in the dam and also correct processes on the removal of the sewer pipe. Municipality is also experiencing financial challenges to commence with the maintenance work at Loch-Athlone dam. M Machongoane indicated that rate and taxes from Loch-Athlone resort are not paid to Municipality, but paid directly to private owner. Municipality is not generating revenue from Loch-Athlone resort, which also contributing to financial challenges for maintenance of the dam. 8.4 MAFUBE MUNICIPALITY N Radebe indicated that Tweeling oxidation pond is working and they did not encounter any problems. N Radebe also indicated that Namahadi WWTWs pump station was previously experiencing spillages, but now the pump station is back to normal. Municipality is currently upgrading WWTWs including pump stations to curb the overflows. Upgrade of pump station is almost completed. Mafube Municipality is also experiencing challenges with monitoring, but the District office is assisting with sampling. 8.5 THABO MOFUTSANYANE B Phahlametsing indicated that QwaQwa area was declared as disaster area due to drought challenges. The drinking water sampling is conducted by Thabo-Mofutsanyane District at clinics, schools and Reservoirs. B Phahlametsing also indicated that communities prefer water directly from springs because water from tankers is not clean and safe to use. The supplying of drinking water through tankers is a cost to Municipality. The water samples that were recently taken are in good quality. H Groenewald indicated that municipality should consult Dam Safety Office regarding safety inspections of dams in their jurisdiction. 8.6 MAP Water No representative attended. 8.7 FEZILE DABI DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY S Kotsoane has confirmed that the District Office is currently assisting Mafube Municipality with sampling. P Shibambo suggested that Municipality should also present their water quality results. 8.8 DETEA FREE STATE No representative attended. 8.9 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH No representative attended. Page 5

6 8.10 DWS-FREE STATE No representative attended. 9. WATER USE LICENCE STATUS V Nkuna indicated that the water use licence status remains the same as compared with the previous report. V Nkuna also indicated that all licenses were issued except Mafube Municipality (Namahadi WWTWs). 10 POLLUTION INCIDENTS V Nkuna mentioned that all pollution incidents should be reported to Vaal River CMA Office and Municipalities should ensure compliance with water use licence conditions in terms of reporting pollutions. 11. CMA PROCESS K Masindi indicated that CMAs are being prioritized and CEOs will be appointed to run with the process. K Masindi also included that communication is taking place with the Department employees to ensure that everyone understand their roles and how CMAs will manage the water resources. Existing CMAs were used as benchmark to find out where is the major challenge to be considered during the CMA process and how the Department can improve in establishing new CMAs. K Masindi further indicated that there are forum discussions that are taking place on the establishment of water boards as requested by the National Water Act, (Act 36 of 1998). DISCUSSION OF ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA Dam Safety H Groenewald indicated that the role of Dam Safety office is to ensure that dams are registered, classified and also to issue licence to construct dams. All existing dams should be inspected between 5 to 7 years. New dams should be inspected after 3 years and thereafter 5 years by approved professional personnel. The dams that require dam safety approval are dams with more than 5M high or with capacity of 50 m 3. V Nkuna asked if tailings dams should also adhere to dam safety requirements. H Groenewald indicated that tailing dams are also included to ensure the safety and therefore they should also be inspected. M Machongoane asked what will happen if Municipalities do not comply with Dam Safety regulations or requirements. H Groenewald indicated that DWS will issue the directive to ensure compliance. 13. DATE OF NEXT MEETING 16 August 2016, Vaal River CMA to confirm venue. 14. CLOSURE The chairperson thanked everyone & the meeting adjourned at 12H30. Page 6