The OR Tambo District Council has made notable progress in enhancing water supply and sanitation services since its inauguration. A total of 4,372 households across the district have been provided with water through the completion of various water schemes. This brings relief to thousands of residents who previously lacked access to this essential service. The council's efforts aim to address the long-standing challenges of water scarcity and inadequate sanitation in the region.
Two major regional water supply projects, Flagstaff and Port St Johns Phase 6, are nearing completion and have provided water to more than 23,037 households. These projects are crucial in ensuring a reliable water supply to the district's residents. Additionally, almost 21,708 households have been provided with Ventilated Improved Pit toilets, significantly improving sanitation and hygiene in the area. These developments demonstrate the council's commitment to enhancing the quality of life for its residents.
The council is also investing in wastewater treatment infrastructure to improve the overall sanitation and environmental health in the district. The refurbishment of the Mthatha Wastewater Treatment Works is underway through a disaster grant, while the Tsolo wastewater treatment plant and reticulation have been completed. Furthermore, the Qumbu plant is 98% complete, with the Libode plant at Phase 2 and Ngqeleni at the planning stage. These upgrades will help mitigate the risks associated with inadequate wastewater management.
In addition to its water and sanitation initiatives, the OR Tambo District Council has strengthened its disaster response capacity. The municipality has purchased firefighting and disaster-response vehicles and appointed eight additional firefighters. A state-of-the-art Disaster Management Centre has been constructed in Libode, and seven disaster response vehicles have been acquired to enhance the unit's response capabilities. These measures will enable the council to respond more effectively to emergencies and disasters.
The council has also transferred the environmental health and disaster function from the KSD Local Municipality to the district, further consolidating its disaster response capabilities. However, a R900m, four-year housing agreement signed with the department of human settlements did not yield the expected results. The municipality is working through intergovernmental channels to address the challenges and has delivered 1,187 houses across the district so far. The council remains committed to addressing the housing needs of its residents.
The district has reported improvements in water compliance, with its Blue Drop score for drinking water quality increasing to 56.2% in 2023/2024. The No Drop score for water conservation reached 51%, surpassing the national average. The district ranked first in the Eastern Cape for No Drop, and its Green Drop score improved from 21% to 41%, moving from a critical to a moderate risk rating. These improvements reflect the council's efforts to enhance water quality and conservation.
For the 2026/2027 financial year, the municipality has allocated R571.7m to water provision projects across the district. The budget includes R158m to provide 2,400 households with access to potable water and R118.2m to provide sanitation to more than 4,000 households. The department of human settlements has also confirmed R60m for the construction of 100 houses across the district. The municipality's increased operations and maintenance budget will support these initiatives and help address the district's water and sanitation challenges.
Key points
- The OR Tambo District Council has provided water to 4,372 households and sanitation to 21,708 households since its inauguration.
- The district has reported improvements in water compliance, with its Blue Drop score increasing to 56.2% and No Drop score reaching 51%.
- The municipality has allocated R571.7m to water provision projects for the 2026/2027 financial year.
