AfriForum Challenges Stellenbosch Municipality over Wastewater Mismanagement

In response to growing concerns over the handling of wastewater in Stellenbosch, the civil rights organisation AfriForum has lodged a formal complaint with the Information Regulator (IR) regarding the Stellenbosch Municipality’s wastewater management systems. The complaint aims to ensure greater transparency after discrepancies emerged between the municipality’s reports and the data from the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS).

An investigation into the Stellenbosch Municipality's practices revealed alarming figures, with the Integrated Regulatory Information System (Iris) showing that 53% of recent water samples from Stellenbosch’s wastewater treatment plants failed to meet quality standards. Illustrating the severity of the situation, there has been a confirmed presence of E. coli in numerous samples; some contain E. coli levels exponentially higher than permissible limits, indicative of severe contamination that could pose significant health risks to the community and the environment.

Moreover, the national Green Drop Progress Report for 2023, issued by the DWS, categorizes both Stellenbosch and Wemmershoek wastewater treatment plants within a high-risk bracket, with respective risk ratings of 86.4% and 82.4%. These figures allude to a “dismal” performance, as quoted from the report, highlighting the pressing need for improvements in areas ranging from process control and maintenance to compliance with regulatory standards.

AfriForum, taking a stand on behalf of the local community, asserts that the Stellenbosch Municipality's claims of satisfactory wastewater management are unfounded, given the discordant evidence presented by official records and reports. The organisation’s determination to obtain transparency on behalf of Stellenbosch residents is underlined by a year-long struggle with the municipality, which had initially dismissed AfriForum’s request for information under the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA).

With the municipality declared to have no issues with the wastewater systems, AfriForum's District Coordinator for the Boland, Jacques Benade, expressed the community’s unwavering resolve to uncover the truth, signaling the group's preparedness to battle misinformation and safeguard the interests and well-being of residents, businesses, and the broader local economy.

Steps have been taken by AfriForum to independently assess the quality of water by commissioning an accredited laboratory to conduct extensive water testing. This is to verify the serious allegations, including those involving the dumping of untreated sewage into rivers such as the Eerste and Veldwagters. The full report, scheduled for release next year, is anticipated with great concern by the community that has been left in jeopardy by the possible exposure to pollutants and the consequent environmental and health implications.