THE development of a R16.5 billon uMkhomazi Water Project phase one is at an advanced stage and once complete, it will be one of the largest water transfer schemes in South Africa.
The multi-disciplinary project is being undertaken by the Department of Water and Sanitation and uMgeni Water.
The national Department of Water and Sanitation presented a progress report on the project to eThekwini Municipality’s Human Settlements and Infrastructure committee at city hall on Tuesday, 21 July.
The committee is pleased with the progress being made thus far and recommended the augmentation of the uMgeni water supply system from the uMkhomazi River.
The project will assist to adequately supply water to Durban and Pietermaritzburg and will meet the long-term water requirements of almost five million domestic and industrial water users in both cities.
Currently, the feasibility study for the transfer of water from the uMkhomazi River to the existing uMgeni system is being conducted.
“Based on the September 2011 projection, the uMgeni River system is in a deficit situation until the Spring Grove Dam is implemented and starts to deliver water,” said head of eThekwini Water and Sanitation, Ednick Msweli.
Msweli added that construction of the Spring Grove Dam was complete and work is now underway to construct the Smithfield Dam (uMkhomazi River Development project) and this project is expected to be completed by 2023.
At the same meeting, more stringent measures aimed at curbing the scourge of illegal water connections and the strategies used to locate these illegal connections were presented by the water and sanitation unit.
The human settlements and infrastructure committee recommended that the water amnesty programme be extended for another two to five years to enable the unit to intensify its drive and locate illegal connections in the city.
Over the years, the city has implemented a number of initiatives to reduce non-revenue water. While efforts have produced positive results, illegal water connections remain a challenge. Currently illegal water connections contribute to about 15% of non-revenue water.
The water and sanitation unit has intensified its strategy to tackle illegal water connections and has developed additional initiatives, such as reconnecting those who have been found tampering with their meters so that they can start paying for the water they consume.
A customer whose water connection was removed because it was found that they were tampering with the water meter, will be now be allowed to apply for another connection after 12 months and can also apply for debt relief. The current water policy did not allow for a customer’s water connection to be reinstated if the reason for the connection being removed was as a result of tampering.
Customers are encouraged to take advantage of the water amnesty opportunity offered to declare illegal connections and be regularised by paying only R250.
Residents are urged to act responsibly and expose illegal water connections in their areas.
The city encourages residents to visit municipal offices to discuss any water-related matters. It is sympathetic to financial challenges and has a special payment option for consumers who are unable to make full payment on their accounts in line with the credit control and debt control policy.
Report illegal connections to the toll free number 080-1313-013 or email eThekwini Water and Sanitation at Eservices@dmws.durban.gov.za
