Progress and Pressure: JB Marks Pushes Ahead Amid Water and Infrastructure Challenges

Karen Scheepers
Oct 28
4 min read

JB Marks Local Municipality released its latest Service Delivery Progress Report on 27 October 2025, detailing key achievements, infrastructure milestones, and urgent interventions across several departments. While significant strides were made in paving, waste management, and water services, officials acknowledged serious challenges affecting water systems in Ventersdorp and Ikageng.

🛣️ Infrastructure and Roads: Final Phase Nears Completion

The municipality’s paving team, under the Infrastructure and Roads Directorate, reported major progress on Louis Le Grange Street, where 85% of the project has been completed. The final stretch , measuring 87 meters by 8 meters, marks the closing phase of what officials describe as a transformative urban upgrade. Supervisor Orlando Zandamela commended the team’s consistency and attention to detail, describing the nearing completion as a “finish line in sight” moment for the department.

💧 Water Services: Progress and Precision

Under the supervision of Ntate Sebatana and Mpho Kometsi, the Water Services Department achieved several technical interventions aimed at improving meter management and water accountability across multiple neighborhoods. The operations included new meter installations, repairs to damaged valves, and reconnections at more than ten sites, including Bathong, Moloto, Lerothodi, and various extensions in Ikageng.

Sebatana highlighted the department’s focus on “precision and reliability,” emphasising that proper meter management is essential to long-term water sustainability.

🚽 Sanitation and Sewer Maintenance: Safety and Restoration

The Sanitation Division, led by Acting Superintendent Ntate Motsamai, reported eight successful sewer interventions across Potchefstroom and Ikageng, including mainline restorations on Pitso, Moledi, and Khuti streets. While most operations were successful, a critical safety concern was raised at Nelson Mandela Street, where a damaged manhole poses a risk to pedestrians. The municipality confirmed that specialist tools and reconstruction teams would be deployed to rebuild the manhole as a matter of urgency.

Motsamai noted that “public health and safety remain top priorities,” with teams focusing equally on sewer restoration and hazard prevention.

🌳 Community Services: Visible Improvement at Promosa Entrance

The Parks Division, under the leadership of Director Ziphora Vavane, carried out comprehensive cleaning and clearing operations at the Promosa municipal entrance. The project forms part of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), which provides employment while improving the city’s aesthetic appeal.

According to the director, the initiative represents “a gateway transformation,” ensuring that residents and visitors experience a cleaner, more welcoming environment.

🗑️ Waste Management: 100% Collection Performance Maintained

In a strong performance report, supervisors Sipho Nxamakele and Felicity Jansen confirmed that all household, business, and hotspot waste areas were serviced and cleared on schedule. This 100% collection rate underscores the department’s operational stability and commitment to maintaining cleanliness across all service zones. Jansen described the achievement as “a demonstration of consistency and dedication” by municipal waste teams.

🚨 Water Infrastructure Under Pressure: Ikageng and Ventersdorp Affected

A mechanical breakdown at Ikageng Water Pump Station 7 has disrupted water pumping to the Ikageng West Reservoir, affecting Potch Industria and Old Ikageng. Repair work is scheduled to begin on 28 October 2025, following completion of a technical assessment. Residents have been urged to use water sparingly as supply restoration efforts continue.

Meanwhile, the municipality reported critical declines in water levels across Ventersdorp reservoirs, with some falling below 55%. The Eesterandjies 5ML reservoir was identified as particularly vulnerable, recording a critically low level of 9.09%. Officials confirmed that emergency resources are being deployed to stabilize these zones and restore balanced distribution across the system.

📊 Reservoir Recovery and Performance Trends

According to the report, reservoir recovery has been strong in Ikageng, with key facilities such as the Ikageng Main and Vyfhoek Complex operating at levels above 89%. However, the contrast with Ventersdorp’s declining reservoirs highlights the uneven recovery within the municipal network. Water Services Director Mabobo Tintswalo described the situation as “a tale of two systems,” acknowledging that while progress has been made in some areas, others require immediate intervention.

🧱 Achievements and Accountability

The municipality’s Executive Performance Dashboard highlighted several milestones:

Paving: 85% completion milestone on Louis Le Grange Street
Water Services: 10 technical interventions completed
Sanitation: 9 locations restored or cleared
Waste Management: 100% success rate
Community Services: Strategic entrance cleanup completed

However, the report also noted reporting gaps in key operational units, including Road Patching, Fleet Management, Road Marking, and the Electricity Department, prompting a call from the Municipal Manager for full compliance and improved communication.

🏛️ Leadership Statements: Progress with Urgency

In a closing briefing, the Municipal Manager emphasised the need for synchronized reporting and real-time coordination between departments to ensure transparency and responsiveness.

The Executive Mayor praised the progress in infrastructure and community services but acknowledged the urgency of addressing mechanical failures and safety hazards. He reaffirmed the municipality’s commitment to stabilising the water system, completing infrastructure projects, and maintaining open communication with residents.

🔎 Summary Outlook

JB Marks Municipality continues to balance achievement with accountability, managing both recovery and risk within a complex service network. While key areas such as Ikageng and Vyfhoek show clear progress, Ventersdorp remains under strain, a reminder of the ongoing infrastructure challenges that require sustained coordination, conservation, and community cooperation.