DURBAN – Umgeni Water executives have updated eThekwini mayor Mxolisi Kaunda on water projects that are expected to reduce water challenges in the metro.
Umgeni Water will be implementing numerous water projects in the eThekwini Metro amounting to more than R28.9 billion.
On Wednesday, mayor Kaunda sat in a meeting with Umgeni Water executives, aimed at updating the metro on the projects the water utility was implementing in the city to reduce water challenges.
The projects include:
- The replacement of water aqueducts to maximise the water supply at the Umlazi reservoir at an estimated cost of R892 million.
- Upgrading of the Umbumbulu pump station.
- Update on the construction of the R28bn uMkhomazi Dam.
- The Lower uMkhomazi water scheme.
- Hazel Mere reservoir update which is set to commence next year at a cost of R70m.
- Lovu River emergency scheme.
Earlier this year, the Daily News reported that the eThekwini water and sanitation department had asked for R400m to fix the ageing water infrastructure in the Durban south area.
Ednick Msweli, head of eThekwini water and sanitation department, made the request at an eThekwini executive committee meeting.
Msweli told the executive committee that the pipes were damaged and corroded, and if the department delayed any further it would be detrimental to service delivery.
He said the unit did not have the budget for the repairs and asked if the city could enter into a memorandum of understanding with Umgeni Water in order to engage it on providing support in the replacement and augmentation of the ageing water infrastructure supplying bulk water to parts of the Inner West and South regions of the metro.
A report to the city’s human settlement and infrastructure committee in November, 2021 stated that eThekwini water and sanitation was facing a number of challenges linked to water supply, which included leaks and burst-on-the-trunk mains that run from Durban Heights to uMlazi.
These challenges were on the 1 200mm diameter steel and 950mm diameter main pipes that covered a distance of 24km. The report stated that a number of communities were affected.
The report also revealed that the metro was struggling to meet its obligation to supply water continuously to all customers connected to its network. This was due to ageing infrastructure and an increase in water demand due to high population growth.
Over the past two years, the metro experienced frequent water supply interruptions in Chatsworth, Northdene, Queensburgh, Shallcross, St Wendolins, Nagina, Welbedacht, uMlazi, Folweni, Nsimbini and Golokodo due to leaks and bursts on the main water pipes.
It also found that some of the sections of the mains were decommissioned in certain points. These two trunk mains provided bulk supply from Umgeni Water’s Durban Heights reservoir to several reservoirs downstream from Northdene to Folweni, and therefore were crucial in ensuring supply for many communities in the Inner West and South regions of the city.
Daily News