What’s wrong with our water? 

The poor quality of Steve Tshwete Municipal (STLM) water became apparent when a member scrutinised the municipality’s annual budget. It turned out that the last time STLM had received a Blue Drop qualification for our water was in 2014. Is water quality important to the health of our community and the sustainability of our businesses? 

The Nkangala District Municipality (NDM) held a District Development Model meeting on 19 June 2025 at the NDM offices in Middelburg. At this meeting, the Deputy Minister of the Department of Water and Sanitation, Mbangiseni David Mahlobo, gave an alarming presentation on the water situation in Mpumalanga. He said that the overall water supply in Mpumalanga is at 44% and the water supply in eMalahleni municipality is at 25%. In one of the rural areas, a well that supplies a community is contaminated with fluoride. 

The deputy minister said that the best way to improve our water quality is to publicise the different reservoir levels. He also suggested that the use of private water tankers should be stopped. There should also be a targeted action to disconnect illegal connections. Measurable performance targets need to be set for qualified officials, and all officials involved in municipal water supply should be subject to competency testing. 

If our water from STLM only meets 97% of water quality targets, is that really a problem? The question is how this percentage is measured. Businesses and residential areas have had different experiences with our water quality. In some areas everything seems to be fine, but in other areas the water quality is constantly being measured. 

In STLM and eMalahleni we have our own dams. Our neighbour has the largest municipal dam in the country, some say even in the southern hemisphere. 

MCCI has set up a water portfolio committee where STLM officials, MCCI members and the Department of Water and Sanitation come together to discuss problems and solutions. Members interested in participating should contact Janie at secretary@middelburgchamber.com.