In 2008 the South African department of water and environmental affairs launched a “Green Drop” certification program for all wastewater treatment works (WWTW) across the country. This was in an effort to improve the operations of these plants so as to minimize the impact they have on the water bodies the treated effluent get discharged into.
Currently it appears that only 32 of South Africa’s approximate 970 wastewater treatment plants comply with requirements for safe treated effluent discharge,a mere 3% compliance. This low level of compliance is leading to extreme levels of pollution in or water bodies across the country. Some of these water bodies are the same sources that feed our municipalities with drinking water.
It is our civic right to know the extent of dysfunction our municipal sewage treatment plants are being operated at and we has a right to demand the Department make public its plans to address the problems.
The table below provides a summary of just a few of the findings:
| Province | % of WWTWs with non-compliant effluent quality | % of WWTWs with flows that are unknown or that exceed design capacity |
| Free State | 99 | 77 |
| Northern Cape | 96 | 87 |
| Eastern Cape | Approximately 89 | 95 |
| Gauteng | Approximately 67 | 84 |
| Limpopo | 95 | 95 |
| North West | 100 | 95 |
| Western Cape | Approximately 19 | 29 |
| Mpumalanga | Approximately 90 | 89 |
| KwaZulu Natal | Approximately 77 | 50 |
With the countries current infrastructure completely overwhelmed by the quantity of sewerage being pumped to the treatment plants,and the lack of funds available for upgrading these plants to handle the current load,it would only make sense that the public be asked to assist in water conservation to curb this escalating problem.
As much of South Africa’s sewage is water born,a possible solution is to minimise the fresh water being added to the wastewater from toilet flushing and greywater (bath shower,basin,and laundry). By reducing or eliminating this water,significantly less strain will be placed of our already struggling wastewater treatment plants.
For more information regarding reduced toilet flush system (Multi-flush) or grey water recycling contact Alje van Hoorn.
