The City of Matlosana in the North West province of South Africa is facing criticism for its handling of wastewater treatment, with multiple streams flowing into the Vaal River being polluted with sewage. The Skoonspruit, a tributary of the Vaal River, has become a murky and foaming waterway due to the discharge of untreated sewage from the Klerksdorp and Orkney Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTWs). Local residents and farmers have expressed concerns about the impact on their health and livestock.
A recent test conducted by GroundUp using citizen-science screening kits revealed high levels of coliform bacteria and E. coli in the Skoonspruit. The results, described as "horrifying" by WaterCAN executive director Ferrial Adam, indicate a significant risk of waterborne diseases such as diarrhoea and cholera. The Vaal River supplies fresh water to about a third of South Africa's population, making the pollution a pressing concern for public health.
The City of Matlosana's wastewater infrastructure has been failing for years, with the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) and the Auditor-General (AG) identifying a larger sanitation crisis in the municipality. The 2025 Green Drop report by DWS scored Matlosana's sewerage management at 11.9%, with all its WWTWs regressing to a critical state. The report highlighted damaged and unmaintained infrastructure, as well as a lack of qualified personnel and inadequate budget allocations.
The Klerksdorp WWTW facility, which is currently non-functional, has been discharging raw sewage into the Skoonspruit and Vaal River system for over three years. During a recent oversight visit, National Council of Provinces (NCOP) delegate Dennis Ryder described the plant as "a crime scene". The facility's failure has contributed significantly to the pollution of the Vaal River, posing risks to communities and ecosystems.
Local residents have reported witnessing sewage spills and poorly treated wastewater polluting the Jagspruit and Koekemoerspruit, which also flow into the Vaal River. Richard Ndlovu, a resident of Kanana near Orkney, pointed to a manhole gushing raw sewage that has eroded a pathway to the Skoonspruit. The situation has been ongoing for years, with Ndlovu expressing concerns about the impact on the environment and public health.
WaterCAN has called for an urgent bacteria assessment of the river by the City of Matlosana, with the findings made public. The organization emphasizes the need for immediate action to address the sanitation crisis in Matlosana and prevent further pollution of the Vaal River. The situation highlights the need for effective management and maintenance of wastewater infrastructure to protect public health and the environment.
Key points
- The City of Matlosana's wastewater infrastructure has been failing for years, with a 2025 report scoring its sewerage management at 11.9%.
- The pollution of the Vaal River poses significant health risks to communities and ecosystems, with high levels of coliform bacteria and E. coli detected in the Skoonspruit.
- WaterCAN has called for an urgent bacteria assessment of the river by the City of Matlosana to address the sanitation crisis.
