NOORDWESTER – LICHTENBURG - Magalies Water (MW) is a Water Board, established under Section 28 of the Water Services Act, 1997 (Act 108 of 1997 as amended, WSA) which provides for the right of access to the basic water supply and the right to basic sanitation services.
According to the Public Finance Management Act (Act No. 1 of 1999 as amended), it is classified as a schedule 1B State-owned Enterprise (SoE) and derives its mandate from the Department of Water and Sanitation.
Since its takeover in the areas previously serviced by the now disestablished Sedibeng Water, Magalies Water has encountered and identified several challenges that include the following:
• The lack of bulk water supply
• Lack of Infrastructure and
• Lack of proper understanding of Magalies Water’s service areas and those not serviced by the water board.
The pronouncement and the subsequent signing of Gazette No. 47094 of July 2022 by the then Minister for the Department of Water and Sanitation, Senzo Mchunu, resulted in the disestablishment of Sedibeng Water and transfer the staff, assets and liabilities into Magalies Water. The exercise expanded the scope and service areas for Magalies Water into new areas such as Ngaka Modiri Molema and Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati Municipalities respectively. The new areas were designated as Far West and South West Regions.
Focal Areas
Magalies Water area of service and operations - Far West Region (Ngaka Modiri Molema District)
Unlike its successor, Sedibeng Water, which used to operate rural water schemes in Ratlou, certain parts of Ramotshere Moiloa and Mahikeng Local Municipalities, Magalies Water’s areas of service and operation are altered to focus more on urban and peri-urban areas, with a small footprint in certain villages across the newly acquired areas. One such area is the operations in Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality, where Magalies Water services areas receiving water from Motswedi and Dinokana Water Treatment Plants.
Additionally, the water board provides bulk water service in Mahikeng Local Municipality under the authority of Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality as the Water Service Authority. Another area of service and operation in the district, is in Itsoseng Township, under Ditsobotla Local Municipality.
The Plants Operated by MW in this Area of Service:
• Mahikeng Water Treatment Plant
• Mmabatho Water Treatment Plant
• Motswedi Water Treatment Plant
• Dinokana Water Treatment Plant
• Tswasa Water Scheme
Stakeholder engagements, with regional, provincial and national partners
In order to strengthen relations and mitigate the challenges of water supply interruptions in the areas of operation Magalies Water meets on a regular basis with various stakeholders, especially at a District Municipality level. The Water Service Authority (WSA) in the Far West Region is the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality.
Besides such meetings, the technical teams of both institutions also engage on a regular basis to plan and resolve any technical challenges that may arise. Such challenges include breakdowns and repairs of the water service infrastructure.
Infrastructure vandalism
Water infrastructure vandalism remains a big challenge in Magalies Water’s endeavour to provide uninterrupted water supply to communities. Theft of electrical copper cables and breakage of bulk supply lines by communities to make illegal connection have been identified as the biggest risks.
Theft of items such as metal pipes, fittings and manhole covers leads to increased operational cost, as with each stolen item. The Water Board or relevant municipality bears the replacement and maintenance costs.
