Every Drop Counts: Moses Kotane’s Fight for Clean Water (2021 – 2024)
Published by MCP-Programme in Strategic Water Management · Friday 18 Apr 2025 · 2:30
In a country as water scarce as South Africa, every drop counts. But in Moses Kotane Local Municipality, providing clean, safe water to communities is a daily struggle. With aging infrastructure, limited resources, and a lack of collaboration, the municipality’s water treatment works are under immense pressure. But change is on the horizon.
The Challenge:
- Poor Water Quality: Limited monitoring and technical capability have led to non-compliance with water quality standards.
- Resource Shortages: The water treatment plants lack the personnel, equipment, and consumables needed to operate effectively.
- A Fragmented System: Without collaboration between departments and external partners, the municipality is fighting an uphill battle.
The MCPP Response:
Since 2021, the MCPP team has been working with Moses Kotane to turn the tide. Through technical coaching, capability development, and the co-design of operations and maintenance (O&M) manuals, the team has empowered municipal officials to take control of their water supply systems.
The Results:
- 14 Co-developed SOPs: Standard operating procedures have been created for the municipality’s three water treatment
- works, ensuring consistent and effective operations.
- Co-developed guidelines: Guidelines have been developed for effective management of monitoring instruments in the WTWs
- Co-developed O&M plans: Draft Operations and Maintenance (O&M) plans for Madikwe and Molatedi WTWs have been developed to support the delivery of safe clean water to communities.
- Process audit: A process audit has been conducted for the Pella WTW to identify plant inefficiencies and propose interventions for improvement.
- Improved water quality: Through the MCPP’s support, the municipality’s blue drop score has increased from 56.6% in 2014 to 69.25% in 2023.
- Improved technical capability: With improved technical knowledge and confidence, municipal officials are ready to continue working towards improved delivery of safe drinking water to communities.
- Improved internal collaboration: There has been improved collaboration and alignment between the groundwater and WTW teams.
What’s Next?
- Finalizing O&M Plans: The municipality will complete the development of O&M plans for its water treatment works, ensuring long-term sustainability.
- Strengthening Partnerships: By collaborating with external stakeholders, the municipality can secure the resources and support it needs to deliver safe water to all.
- Sustainable Change: With the MCPP’s continued support, Moses Kotane is on the path to becoming a model for effective water management.
This is a story of resilience, collaboration, and hope. A story that proves that even in the face of immense challenges, every drop truly counts.
Acknowledgements:
Anglo Platinum, Amandelbult Mine, Moses Kotane Technical Services Team, MCPP Implementation Team
