About Us

Learn About The Midvaal Story, Our Journey, Milestones and Our Work As a Company.

About Midvaal Water Company

Who we are?

Midvaal Water Company is a Water Service Provider which has been supplying potable water in bulk to the Klerksdorp, Orkney, Stilfontein and Hartbeesfontein area since the middle of the 20th century. In addition to this, Midvaal Water renders operation, maintenance and consultancy services for water treatment plants and sewage works.

The Company is situated on the banks of the Vaal River 15km away from Stilfontein in the North West Province and serves an area of some 900km². It supplies the City of Matlosana (Klerksdorp) as well as the mining and industrial undertakings in the area with potable water. Midvaal Water purchases raw (untreated) water under license from the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) and after purification, delivers it to consumers.

Midvaal Water is a non-profit organisation, registered under Section 21 of the Companies Act. The company has a successful track record of generating sufficient funds, through its operations, to cover all operating costs. It has also been successful in its mission to consistently deliver reliable services at acceptable costs – to the great appreciation of its valued customers.

During the past seven decades, Midvaal Water has acquired vast and valuable experience in process technology applicable to wastewater and potable water. Water engineering, the operation and maintenance of potable water treatment plants and wastewater purification plants, bulk metering, and radio telemetry systems, are some of the fields of expertise. The Company has service level agreements with all its clients, which are periodically reviewed to ensure their relevance in terms of operational, business and client needs alike.

The Company operates a SANAS accredited and well-equipped laboratory This department, the Midvaal Water Scientific Services, provides both analytical and consulting services concerning drinking water, underground water and effluents. This includes analysing and evaluating samples, recommending treatment processes and determining the suitability for various uses.

Historical Background

The Midvaal story

At its inception, the Company was named the Western Transvaal Regional Water Company.

It was established to meet the water needs of the mines in the area and was funded with a 30-year loan from Anglo American Corporation. With the passage of time, its reach was expanded to settlements that mushroomed as a result of the workers who settled around Vaal Reefs.

Midvaal Water’s treatment plant capacity was 57 mega litres in 1954, expanded to 85 MI/d in 1958 and ultimately became 320 MI/d.

With human settlements growing, the pendulum began to tilt. Bulk water supply to the mines started diminishing and the economic decline put the proverbial nail in the coffin by pushing the demand to the present where about 20% is consumed by the mines and industry whilst the balance is supplied to the City of Matlosana.

After the loan was repaid, the Water Company realigned changing its legal status to a non-profit company, and so Midvaal Water Company was born.

The new status, that of being an NPC meant that Midvaal Water owns itself. In simple terms, it does not have shareholders like a classical private company. The Company does not make profit but makes a surplus that is utilised to refurbish, upgrade and grow its infrastructure whilst taking care of its employees.

The vulnerability of having a single, biggest customer and the need to diversify, led to the Board of Midvaal Water Company taking a resolution to expand its customers base. Currently, efforts are ongoing to ensure that Midvaal supplies bulk, potable water to those in need across the Province.

Since charity begins at home, it is hoped that the expansion programme will see residents and other water users in JB Marks and Maquassi Hills became the first to benefit while water infrastructure from the plant is also expanded to needy areas in the Ngaka Modiri Molema and Ruth Segomoti Mompati Districts.

Ownership

At the initial incorporation of the Company shares were held by the Mining Companies operating in the region and they were represented as the shareholders. The shares were bought back by the Company and there is no shareholding or ownership interest in the Company. Therefore, the Company owns itself and all of its resources and assets belong to it.

The Company is a non-profit organisation registered under the Companies Act. It has enjoyed so far tax free status like any other local government organisation.

In terms of the provisions of the Companies Act 2008, the income and property of the company shall not be distributable to the company’s incorporators, members, directors, officers or persons related to any of the foregoing.

Furthermore, the company shall apply all of its assets and income, however derived, to advance its stated objects, as set out in its Memorandum of Incorporation. Therefore, the funds generated are utilised solely for the purpose of maintaining and enhancing water supply services in the best interest of the communities being served.

Governance Structure

In terms of the Memorandum of Incorporation, the members on the Board of Midvaal Water Company are nominated by its major consumers, who have entered into consumer agreements with the Company for the supply of water. The Board of the Company is constituted by seven nominated directors (of which four are nominated by City of Matlosana, its Water Services Authority, three board members are nominated by the Mining Sector) to enhance the skills set, held by the Board.

The Board of Midvaal Water Company has demonstrated its commitment to highest calibre and standards of corporate governance and continues to espouse the principles of fairness, accountability, responsibility, transparency combined with ethical behaviour. As a result, the Company seeks to improve compliance with the generally accepted accounting and sound corporate governance practices and prides itself in attaining its objectives in this regard.

The Board has constituted the following Committees to maintain its oversight on relevant matters:

Infrastructure Development and Maintenance Committee
Audit and Risk Management Committee
Human Resources and Remuneration Committee

These Committees have specific Terms of Reference and are assisting the Board to fulfil its oversight and governance responsibilities on matters affecting these committees. The Terms of Reference of these Committees are reviewed from time to time to align them with legislation and meet any newly identified requirements. The Board has also approved a comprehensive corporate governance policy which has strengthened corporate governance practices and clarified the role of the Board as well as Management and other structures.

The governance model of the Company enables the participation of the stakeholders in decision making in the most effective and democratic manner and is one of the most representative structures in the Country.

Size of Operations & Assets

The Company is a medium sized organisation in the sector and rated at the same level as Magalies Water and Bloem Water. The value of its assets recorded in the balance sheet is around R1,5 billion and a sizeable amount of investments through internally generated funds.

Our Purpose & Aspirations

Mission
Vision

To provide effective and efficient water services in support of client needs

To be your preferred water and related services partner

Our Milestones

The 13th of August 2024 marked a historic milestone for the Company that was founded after the discovery of gold to supply water for successful mining operations.

CEO Mr. Dikoko recounted the history of the water service provider at a celebratory event where he also honoured employees for their tireless efforts of providing drinkable water with a world class standard. “I am proud of you and know you will continue doing great work as part of building this 70-year bulk, potable water supplier that has become a reliable development partner and a preeminent Water Services Provider,” he said.

The Water Company has come a long way from only supplying water to mines seven decades ago.

Currently, the expansion programme includes repositioning the Company’s Scientific Services to be run as a business unit that services even more customers in the public and private sector.

Mr Dikoko said Midvaal Water has entered into a cooperation agreement with the North West Housing Corporation (NWHC). “This agreement will see Midvaal Water supply bulk, drinkable water and related services to the planned ten Mega and Smart Cities that NWHC will be building across the province.”

He continued by saying that the effort to market Midvaal Water’s services and products to grow its customer base are also bearing fruit. Earlier in August, a delegation from the government and water utilities of Zimbabwe visited the company to learn about best practices in water purification, maintenance and operation.

“The delegation was overwhelmed by our operations and new opportunities that are on the horizon,” Mr Dikoko announced.

He thanked staff for taking pride in their work, saying the progress Midvaal Water has made in opening access to drinkable water to those who have been denied this fundamental human right, cannot go unnoticed.