Municipalities urged to prevent sewage spills and rehabilitate polluted rivers [SOUND]

# Deputy minister of Water and Sanitation Jack Bloom is calling on municipalities to prioritise pollution prevention and clean up contaminated rivers in line with the polluter-pays principle. He says proper maintenance, early warning systems and armed security are needed to prevent sewage spills polluting rivers in Rustenburg and Ventersdorp in North West. Bloom says stronger preventative measures and improved protection of wastewater infrastructure are necessary to reduce sewage spills and safeguard rivers and surrounding communities: