Brits water treatment to be completed in March 2026

The refurbishment of the Brits Water Treatment Works in the North West is expected to be completed by March 2026, following renewed commitments by Magalies Water and the Madibeng Local Municipality.

The undertaking was reaffirmed during a recent oversight visit to the facility by Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation David Mahlobo and Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Kenny Morolong.

Magalies Water, which is responsible for the mechanical and electrical works at the plant, together with the municipality, committed to ensuring that the long-delayed project is completed within the revised timeframe.

The project aims to increase water supply to an estimated 75,373 households within the Madibeng Local Municipality, where residents have faced ongoing water challenges.

During the visit, Deputy Minister Mahlobo expressed concern over repeated delays in completing the project, noting that deadlines had been missed several times in the past.

“We are very pleased with the progress made, but we are unhappy that once again we have missed the deadline,” Mahlobo said.

Despite the delays, both Deputy Ministers acknowledged that meaningful progress has been achieved and that the work completed should not be taken for granted. 

Deputy Minister Morolong said he attended the visit on behalf of The Presidency, whose role is to coordinate the work of government departments and ensure accountability.

He emphasised that it is government’s constitutional obligation to ensure that residents of Madibeng have access to sufficient and reliable water supply.

Addressing the project stakeholders, Morolong said: “While you have made several commitments regarding the completion date of the project, you are found wanting, and this is a cause for concern.”

Project background

Phase 1 of the Brits Water Treatment Works project was completed in July 2014. However, due to poor maintenance, several components later required refurbishment, at an estimated cost of R28 million based on 2020 projections. Phase 2 was completed in 2020.

Phase 3 of the project is nearing completion, with civil works largely finalised, electrical works at 85% completion and mechanical works at 92%. Phase 4 will focus on upgrading the final water pipelines and the distribution pipeline leading to the command reservoirs.

Once fully operational, the upgraded plant will increase its treatment capacity from 60 to 80 megalitres per day, improving raw water treatment, strengthening pumping and pipeline systems, and enhancing the distribution network to bulk reservoirs.