Ugu estimates R2 billion infrastructure damage
The mayor said they are implementing intervention measures to control sewage overflow at beaches through vacuum tanker services.
Ugu District Municipality revealed that a total of R2 billion will be needed to repair damage to infrastructure in the district, after the heavy rains.
Ugu mayor Phumlile Mthiyane said this during a media briefing at the Ugu main offices in Port Shepstone earlier this week.
Mthiyane said a disaster of this magnitude requires a lot of funds to undertake the rehabilitation of infrastructure. She said the Umthamvuna system was flooded and bulk supply to coastal and urban areas has been severely affected as the Umthamvuna system has been rendered non-operational.
She added that this affected supply to Port Edward, Southbroom, KwaXolo, Shobamdlanzi, Izingolweni, Goqozi, and KwaNzimakwe.
Mthiyane said major repairs are underway on the South Coast bulk pipeline with an expectation that supply would be restored in Scottburgh, Amandawe, Amahlongwa, Pennington, Park Rynie, Dududu and Umzinto. Water had been expected to be restored to these areas by Wednesday, April 27.
“In these areas, we have placed our reliance on potable water using water tankers during this period. We are aware of the devastation being caused by the disruption of water supply to some areas in the district, and we wish to reassure the public of our commitment in ensuring that we shall use all resources at our disposal for our communities to have access to water,” said Mthiyane.
She added that they are also closely monitoring the E.coli levels at the beaches of Uvongo, Munster and Margate. The mayor said they are implementing intervention measures to control sewage overflow at beaches through vacuum tanker services.
Recently the municipality said a lot of sewage flowed on to the beaches during the floods, it added that work has also commenced at the Margate pump station.
With Gamalakhe residents complaining about the quality of water in their taps, Mthiyane said they are still ensuring that they distribute water that is in compliance with the South African National Standard (SANS) drinking water quality standards.
Following the aftermath of the floods, we have reinforced our technical teams to carryout repairs and rehabilitation of infrastructure in most areas. And this has not been an easy task considering that most areas have been inaccessible due to mudslides and structural damage to most access roads. And despite this, our team have been out throughout the length and breath of the district to restore water supply to the affected areas.
