The Kimberley Prospector

In an eye-opening revelation, The Kimberley Prospector recently uncovered a series of captivating satellite images of the clarifiers at the Riverton Water Treatment Works in 2018. The images, akin to an all-seeing eye, exposed an unprecedented occurrence involving hundreds of barrels and square orange-brown containers, raising numerous questions about their nature, purpose, and subsequent disappearance, never to be seen again.

The saga begins with a seemingly ordinary scan in March 2018, showing nothing unusual. However, a remarkable transformation unfolds as the satellites’ watchful eye revisits the Riverton Clarifiers in June 2018. The once-empty area around the clarifiers are now adorned with hundreds of green barrels and square orange containers, sparking speculation about their contents and purpose.

Information suggests that the green barrels might contain poly aluminium chloride coagulant or, less likely, lime slurry, while the orange-brown containers likely contain a liquid flocculant or are used as flocculant mixing tanks. These chemicals play a crucial role in water treatment, acting like a team of superheroes to purify water for public consumption.

The enigma deepens as subsequent satellite images reveal a dynamic timeline. By November 2018, some containers have been used, and by December of the same year, half of the remainder has disappeared. A hiatus in satellite imagery follows until May 2020, when only seven square orange containers remain. Three additional smaller containers appear in July 2021, dwindling to the last remnants disappear by February 2023.

The sudden appearance and disappearance of these containers raise a myriad of questions. Did someone over-order, or was there a more sinister motive behind their acquisition? Was theft involved, or were they used for a specific purpose? The timeline correlates with water quality testing, which showed a stark increase from 0 in 2017/2018 to 77 in 2018/2019, raising concerns about Kimberley’s water issues persisting since 2018.

Algae Present Challenges at Riverton

Presently, Rikus Rossouw from Bigen Africa recently shed light on challenges faced at Riverton Water Treatment Works, emphasizing the impact of a severe November 2023 heatwave that led to algae proliferation. Traditional water facilities struggled to cope with the algae loads, necessitating additional processes and raising concerns about pollution and rising costs.

Algae Likely Not Root Cause for Low Levels

A concerned Kimberley resident weighed in on the issues at Riverton’s Clarifiers, asserting that algae, while a contributing factor, is not the root cause of the water issues. The crux of the problem lies in the inoperability of the clarifiers, specifically the non-functioning rakes and mud underflow pumps. The resident explains that when the mud bed height increases due to the lack of maintenance, it obstructs the water flow into the feed well. Consequently, dirty water, laden with floc, takes a shortcut to the clear water launders, affecting the sand filters. In their perspective, the ultimate root cause is the malfunctioning clarifiers rather than the presence of algae.

As Kimberley seeks answers to these lingering questions, the mystery surrounding the Riverton Clarifiers in 2018 unfolds, leaving the community with a thirst for the truth behind the gazillion barrels that once graced the landscape.

Timeline of 2018, a Year in Context

• March 26, 2018: Kimberley residents face water shortages for four days. The Sol Plaatje Municipality cites unexpected delays as the cause. Makhubung village near Heuningvlei has been without clean running water for 13 years.
  
• June 18, 2018: The Department of Water and Sanitation advertises a job opening for an ADMINISTRATION CLERK: PRODUCTION REF NO 150618/18 for the Sanitation department.
  
• June 28, 2018: Mangaliso Matika, the Executive Mayor of Kimberley at the Sol Plaatje Municipality from 2016 to 2018, faces a turbulent tenure marked by protests and allegations of maladministration. In July 2018, a council vote removes him from office. Matika later serves as the Deputy Speaker of the Northern Cape Provincial Legislature, representing the African National Congress (ANC), starting from May 2019.
  
• July 12, 2018: Protest and calls for the resignation of municipal manager Goolam Akharwaray and chief financial officer Lydia Mahloko lead to shutdowns. Kimberley experiences unrest with roads barricaded and damaged buildings.
  
• October 17, 2018: Patrick Mabilo is elected as the mayor of Kimberley by the council but is not immediately installed.
  
• October 25, 2018: Despite promises of making the Section 106 Investigation public, the outcome is not disclosed at the city council meeting. The ANC in the Frances Baard Region expresses disappointment with the election of P. Thabane as the Executive Mayor, calling it a palace coup.
  
• November 11, 2018: Patrick Mabilo is formally sworn in as Executive Mayor after expelled councillors’ votes are disregarded.
  
• November 20, 2018: The ANC Provincial Executive Committee announces the expulsion of nine ANC councillors at Sol Plaatje municipality who voted out the former mayor Mangaliso Matika.
  
• December 14, 2018: The Department of Water and Sanitation advertises another job opening for a SENIOR ADMINISTRATION CLERK REF NO: 141218/32 Chief Operations Office SD: Water Sector Planning & Support.
  
• December 21, 2018: The Sol Plaatje Municipality assures residents that the water supply will be restored after emergency repair work on major pipe leaks. The municipality faces challenges with deliberate damage to water infrastructure.
  
• December 22, 2018: The municipality reports damage to newly replaced valves in the Roodepan area, describing it as sabotage. Security measures are implemented to protect infrastructure.
  
• January 19, 2019: Kimberley’s Sol Plaatjie municipality water crisis worsens, leading to stage five water restrictions. The municipality attributes the crisis to old and damaged infrastructure, increased water usage due to climate change, and insufficient supply from Riverton. Plans are discussed to increase the number of pipelines supplying water to Kimberley.