Long-term plan for Mtunzini water issues
The area currently doesn't have a reliable raw water source
Although water has been restored to Mtunzini households following months of challenges, King Cetshwayo District Municipality (KCDM) is working on a long-term solution to ensure a more reliable water supply to the area.
KCDM Municipal Manager, Mbali Ndlovu, said the area currently doesn’t have a reliable raw water source.
‘The district relies on co-supply from the uMhlathuze Municipality to augment the Mtunzini water purification plant,’ said Ndlovu.
‘We are, however, in discussions with the city to improve the supply of treated water to the town. We are also engaging with the mine (Tronox) to assist with the supply of raw water to the Ntuze pump as a back-up supply.’
Currently, the town’s water purification plant abstracts raw water from the Ntuze River.
‘Long-term plans include sourcing water from the Tugela transfer scheme,’ continued Ndlovu.
‘This could take up to seven years to finalise.’
Chairperson of the Mtunzini Residents Association (MRA), Jeremy Nottingham, who met with the district municipal manager and acting deputy municipal manager for technical services last week, agreed that a long-term solution must be sought.
‘We’re hoping for progress,’ said Nottingham.
‘There was a scare last weekend when a water pipe burst, threatening our supply. It was, however, resolved.’
He said the town is currently receiving water from the municipality, but they were not ‘out of the woods’ just yet.
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