Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr JP de Villiers and Sesotho soundbite by Cllr Kabelo Moreeng.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Ngwathe conducted an oversight visit to the Parys Waterworks and has requested that frequent water tests be performed by the municipality and that the tests be made public. The DA also requested the district to conduct water tests after delays in the project’s completion were identified. The project will be monitored closely.
The visit was led by us, joined by Patricia Morokolo, Director of Infrastructure and Technology, Steve Naale, Communications Manager, and representatives of Korone Engineering, the main contractor on site.
During the inspection, the delegation noted that while progress is being made, severe delays have emerged due to contractual issues. As a result, the project’s completion date has now been extended to May 2026. The first phase, which includes the refurbishment of the old works, is still underway. Following this, construction will proceed to the remaining three clarifiers.
In the pump rooms, one pump was fully operational, while the standby pump was non-functional and in urgent need of replacement. In another section, a leak from an inlet pipe was observed, which was unacceptable and immediate action was taken.
The water quality is tested every two hours for chemical balance and dosage. However, the water is not currently filtered, and only the required chemicals are being added. It is therefore recommended to boil your water before use at home to ensure safety.
The new power line from the municipal substation to the waterworks is currently in progress. It is expected to provide a stable and uninterrupted electricity supply to the facility early next year.
We will continue to monitor and oversee the progress of this critical project to ensure transparency, accountability, and the speedy completion of the Parys Waterworks upgrades.