Municipal Focus Volume 67

Page 78

MUNICIPAL

NEWS WELCOME TO THE CITY OF MOGALE CITY Conventional water meter conversion MATLOSANA project rolls out

CITY OF PEOPLE ON THE MOVE The City of Matlosana Municipality is situated approximately 164 km South West of Johannesburg, strategically located on the N12 Treasure Route, which is the North West Province’s primary tourism corridor. The scenic N12 starts from Mpumalanga and is the gateway to the Western Cape Province. The route takes you from eMalahleni, to the vibrant Gauteng Province and the Sterkfontein Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site, and continues to Potchefstroom, Klerksdorp, Kimberley, Beaufort West, up until George. It is the Transformation of the N12 Treasure Route that has unlocked regionalCity opportunities and resulted Mogale Local Municipality’s Water in massive has activity alongmajor the Services for a and whilemobility experienced Matlosana portionlosses of thedue corridor. It water and revenue to ageing has a multi-dimensional character infrastructure, dysfunctional prepaid that has created enhanced water meters,employment, illegal water connections, commutertomovement, enhanced vandalism infrastructure and servicing investment areas that areopportunities, not metered. increased economic activity, etc. The municipality is consequently under immense strain minimize WHY VISIT THEtoCITY OF water losses and recoup the required revenue for MATLOSANA? water supplied to consumers. Currently, a menial of the totalmemories water purchased is Create 40% unforgettable collected due to the aforesaid areas of loss, at our quality business and leisure which in turn makes servicing our Rand accommodation venues which Water monthly debt unattainable. include conferencing, wedding and spa facilities. The City has a wealth of Although Water Services has in the past, attractions for visitors: installed prepaid water meters to enable consumers to buy water upfront on a • Adventure tourism pay-as-you-go basis, these prepaid meters • Wildlife have proven to betourism costly compared • conventional Medical tourism to water meters for the • Wellness tourism following among other reasons:

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Municipal Focus Focus Municipal

The meters are mostly faulty (e.g. leaks) resulting in high water losses

These meters are non-durable, thus have a shorter lifespan and high in maintenance costs

It has complex technological features which come with high maintenance and cost of repairs e.g. annual costs total R8.5 million including repairs, maintenance and replacement of faulty prepaid meters

Municipality dealing with endless, end-user complaints on high billing

Allocated budget only covers 7% of the 34 000 faulty prepaid water meters resulting in a 93% repairs and replacement backlog

unforgettable • Create These meters are easily bypassed memories at our resulting in major revenue and water losses. quality business and leisure accommodation

In venues overcoming these growing challenges, which include theconferencing, municipality is rolling out a phased wedding Water Meter Conversion Project and spa facilities. and converting bypassed and faulty prepaid water meters toAS conventional water MATLOSANA A MEDICAL HUB meters. Since the current prepaid meters have dual function, i.e.,paramount prepaid and To usa health care is of conventional capability, faulty importance as a healthy cityand is bypassed meters will not be replaced, productive and constitutes prosperity. rather the conventional capability will be We boast well-developed medical activated. Once meters are converted, facilities, which enhances and consumers will be billed for their promotes themonthly competitive consumption guidedadvantage by their of Matlosana as a major Hub respective meter readings,Medical commensurate in their the North West Province. Services to consumption. include: general and private medical fascilities, casualty/trauma dental The conventional meters haveand major services. Most clinics focus on more primary mutual benefits including being health care services. reliable, durable, allow for on-site

maintenance and repairs and thus have lower costs and are not as easily by-passed as existing meters. This project will not only ensure a major portion of the City’s water losses are overcome, but it will also assist in building a more sustainable water supply system to the benefit of residents, business and investment which augurs well for job creation and growth of the local city economy. The project, which targets the conversion of an estimated 3 000 to 3 500 water meters, is scheduled to run from November 2023 up until June 2024. To ensure that the new meter conversion project is rolled out as hassle-free as possible, the municipality has requested the co-operation of residents and businesses by allowing access of identifiable water technicians onto their The city prides itself on having properties (if the meter is located on their five private hospitals, two government property). hospitals, including the largest state hospital in the North West Province and 15 clinics including mobile clinics. It also boasts the only fully contained oncology unit in the North West Province, which offers a comprehensive service at four pathological laboratories and has the latest MRI scanner at the radiology unit. PRIME LAND FOR DEVELOPMENT N12 Development Route was identified by the municipality as a flagship project for golden opportunities in the following sectors: housing, business, industrial, heritage, mining, tourism, sport as well as recreation.


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