DESPATCH – The Despatch Wastewater Treatment Works is showing marked improvements following a comprehensive R4.8 million upgrade programme that is now 87.5% complete, city officials announced during a site visit on Tuesday, 21 April.
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) Executive Mayor Babalwa Lobishe and Infrastructure Committee Member Buyelwa Mafaya, conducted an oversight visit to the facility, which serves the entire Despatch area and remains fully operational throughout the upgrade process.
In a statement, the NMBM said that the plant is now operating at 88% compliance – a significant improvement that indicates better effluent quality and enhanced operational stability. More than 90% of the allocated budget has been directed toward core water and sanitation infrastructure.
The upgrade programme has included major technical improvements across the facility. New energy-efficient lighting was installed at a cost of R640,000, while two new submerged pumps, sluice gates, and associated equipment were fitted for R768,549.
Other significant investments include a R815,000 advanced control system featuring programmable logic controllers and variable speed drives, R827,000 for pump refurbishments, and R742,789 for new gearboxes and rotation assemblies.
Critical process improvements have also been completed, including full refurbishment of inlet screens, improvements to the grit removal system, and replacement of mixers in the biological reactor.
“We are encouraged by the progress on the ground and the clear improvement in plant performance,” said Lobishe. “Every rand we allocate to water and sanitation must translate into reliability, dignity, and the protection of public health.”
The upgrades align with the municipality’s three key priorities: strengthening service delivery, enabling infrastructure-led economic activity, and building institutional capacity.
Despite the progress, the facility continues to face operational difficulties. These include illegal discharge of industrial waste, procurement delays for treatment chemicals, and aging infrastructure requiring further attention.
Security remains a concern, with ongoing theft, vandalism, and illegal dumping impacting operations and driving up costs. The municipality has responded by deploying additional private security and launching public awareness campaigns.
The improvements form part of a broader medium to long-term strategy to support growth in the Despatch area, ensuring the facility can meet future demand as the community expands.
Lobishe confirmed that regular updates on sanitation infrastructure progress will continue throughout the current financial year as additional work proceeds.
The Despatch facility serves as a critical piece of infrastructure for the region, and its continued improvement is essential for public health, environmental protection, and economic development in the area.
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