AN HISTORIC and ecstatic moment… as George executive mayor Mercia Draghoender switches on the power at the indirect effluent reuse plant, the first plant of its kind in South Africa. Sharing the moment is Harold Basson, George Municipality Civil and Technical Services senior manager.It was an historic moment for the city of George as Executive Mayor Mercia Draghoender officially opened the indirect reuse of effluent plant on 17 August 2010, to supplement the raw water sources for the town.

The plant is the first of its kind to be used in South Africa.

“This is the first indirect effluent reuse plant in South Africa to provide water for potable (drinking) use. The effluent from this plant is of outstanding quality, adding further benefit to the process by commencing with a good quality product to be treated,” she said.

New political leaders for George are; councilors Lionel Esau (DA) left, deputy mayor, Daniel Maritz (DA,) speaker and right, Bazil Petrus (ID) executive mayor, with former ID mayor Mercia Draghoender.At a special council meeting of the George Municipality held on 19 August 2010 the ID and DA joined forces to oust deputy-mayor Castro Leholo of the ANC by means of a vote of no-confidence where-after the DA’s Lionel Esau was elected unopposed as the new deputy-mayor.

In a surprise move during the meeting mayor Mercia Draghoender and speaker Bazil Petrus of the ID resigned, where-after Bazil Petrus was elected as mayor and Daniel Maritz of the DA as speaker. As a result of Draghoender’s vacation of office the ANC dominated mayoral committee dissolved. Petrus indicated that he will appoint his new mayoral committee once he has consulted with the DA and his colleagues in the ID.