Msukaligwa Local Municipality has been recognised as one of the most improved municipalities in South Africa under the Department of Water and Sanitation’s Green Drop Programme, securing second place nationally for Best Progress in wastewater management.
The municipality improved significantly from 17% in 2021 to 66.7% in 2025, reflecting strengthened wastewater processes, improved compliance, and better monitoring systems. The Green Drop Programme assesses municipalities on technical performance, governance, and environmental compliance in wastewater management.
Ongoing infrastructure projects, including the refurbishment of the Ermelo Wastewater Treatment Works, have played a key role in this progress. The upgrades form part of broader efforts to modernise water and sanitation systems and improve long-term service reliability.
Municipal leadership welcomed the recognition, noting that it reflects structured efforts to address aging infrastructure and operational challenges. The municipality reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining improvements and ensuring reliable, safe water and sanitation services for residents.