Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Jose Coetzee and Sesotho soundbite by Jafta Mokoena MPL. See attached pictures here, here, and videos here and here.
In light of the ongoing water quality challenges in Clocolan, the DA in Setsoto has formally submitted questions to the Council. These questions are intended to escalate the matter to the relevant provincial and national departments, including oversight and regulatory authorities, to ensure accountability and urgent intervention.
The ongoing challenges related to water outages and water quality in Clocolan remain a serious concern for residents. Recent, persistent reports have been received of muddy, discoloured water accompanied by unpleasant, fish-like odours, along with extended water outages linked to maintenance-related challenges.
While water supply was eventually restored, water quality improved only slightly, with residents continuing to report a yellow tint. We have also previously raised isolated reports of live worms allegedly found in the water supply with the Municipal Manager.
In early December, the DA submitted a formal letter to the Municipal Manager detailing these ongoing water quality concerns. The letter was acknowledged, with an undertaking to provide feedback. To date, no formal response has been received. However, it was indicated on social media that the Municipal Manager visited the Clocolan Water Treatment Works to assess the situation.
Following this visit, the Municipal Manager attributed the discoloured water primarily to elevated iron and manganese levels, indicating that directives had been issued to mitigate the problem.
It was agreed that the suspension of raw water abstraction from Moperi Dam, with Caledon River raw water to be utilised for purification. However, this water source is shared with Marquard, and recent Eskom-related electrical problems affecting the Holstein system left both Clocolan and Marquard without water.
While elevated iron and manganese levels are a known and manageable occurrence in dam-based water systems globally, primarily affecting the colour, taste, and smell of water, the continued deterioration of water quality, together with conflicting explanations provided by the municipality, including blame being placed on old asbestos and steel pipelines, suggests that the municipality may not have a clear or complete understanding of the root cause of the water quality crisis in Clocolan.
The DA has previously raised concerns about the lack of qualified technical posts that remain unfilled, as well as about water resource management, particularly where the dam is frequently accessed by livestock.
Residents of Clocolan have a constitutional right to safe, clean, and reliable drinking water. We will continue to pursue this matter until clear answers and safe water are provided, accountability is enforced, and decisive action is taken to end the ongoing water quality crisis.