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Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality laid bare its growing water and sanitation crisis during a high-level presentation to the Eastern Cape Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Local Government and Traditional Affairs. The session, held on Day 2 of the Committee’s oversight visit, saw top municipal and provincial figures grappling with issues ranging from infrastructure decay to criminal infiltration of water carting services.
What Happened
The Buffalo City Metro Municipality (BCMM) hosted members of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional affairs (COGTA) Portfolio Committee in a crucial briefing aimed at emphasizing ongoing challenges and interventions in the metro’s water and sanitation systems.
The municipality presented an in-depth report covering:
- The condition of its 15 wastewater treatment plants, with a combined treatment capacity of 170 million litres per day
- A 2442km wastewater infrastructure network, supported by 96 sewerage pump stations
- Critical challenges including outdated infrastructure, funding gaps, licensing delays, and the rising influence of “water mafias” in illegal carting operations
The Zwelitsha Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW) upgrade and several water use licence applications were also noted as ongoing strategic interventions.
Official Response
Executive Mayor Princess Faku, City Manager Mxolisi Yawa, and senior officials from Amatola Water Board, Department of Water Affairs, and Buffalo City Metropolitan Development Agency (BCMDA) engaged with the committee, acknowledging the urgency of the crisis.
Officials emphasized that vandalism and cable theft have severely compromised the reliability of pump stations and treatment infrastructure.
“We are working under constant threat. Infrastructure vandalism is crippling service delivery,” one senior BCMM official stated during the briefing.
While the municipality continues to apply for necessary water licences and pursues upgrades, concerns about funding and security dominate operational priorities.
Community Impact
The long-standing issues in Buffalo City’s water systems have direct consequences for thousands of households and businesses relying on clean, reliable water and effective sanitation.
In particular, the growing influence of water carting syndicates, dubbed “water mafias,” has eroded public trust and worsened access in underserved areas.
The committee’s visit is seen as a critical step toward unlocking provincial and national support, but residents remain anxious about when concrete solutions will materialize.
FAQ
- What is the Zwelitsha WWTW and why is it important?
A: The Zwelitsha Wastewater Treatment Works is one of BCMM’s key facilities. Its upgrade is crucial to improving treatment capacity and reducing environmental contamination. - What are “water mafias”?
These are criminal syndicates involved in the illegal carting and sale of water, often undermining municipal systems and profiting from shortages.
3. How many treatment plants does BCMM operate?
A: BCMM operates 15 treatment plants with a capacity of 170 million litres daily.
