Desalination plant officially launched in Richards Bay
It is the first mobile sea water purification unit in South Africa, comprising 10 containers and located adjacent to the water treatment plant at Alkantstrand
THE portable desalination plant that will feed Richards Bay an extra 10 megalitres of clean drinking water per day, was officially launched on Friday.
It is the first mobile sea water purification unit in South Africa, comprising 10 containers and located adjacent to the water treatment plant at Alkantstrand.
The R300-million ground-breaking development will pump desalinated water to reservoirs to supply Meerensee, Mandlazini, Brackenham, eNseleni, Khoza and Mapolwane as well as to local industries.
‘Shortage of adequate water supply does not only serve as a threat to life, food security and damage to nature in the City of uMhlathuze and King Cetshwayo (KC) District, but also severely affects industries in the area,’ said Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) Minister, Nomvula Mokonyane.
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‘The effect of the desalination plant will bring a huge relief to all this and more.
‘It will help about 150 000 households that need water in this area.
‘It is reality now that we have to opt for sea water for drinking purposes due to drought, which is a natural and climate change challenge.’
KC District Mayor Nonhle Mkhulisi said she is excited that the modern facility was built in this district to alleviate the effects of the drought.
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