WATERUMNGENI-UTHUKELAWATER . AMANZIINVESTING IN AWATER-SECURE FUTUREInside uMngeni-uThukela Water’s R22-billion infrastructure plan that is setto eliminate supply backlogs, make the system more resilient and redefineKwaZulu-Natal’s socio-economic future.“Our goal is simple but urgent,” explains Mr Sandile PsychologyMkhize, Chief Executive at uMngeni-uThukela Water. “We wantto make sure that all people in KwaZulu-Natal have access tosafe, sustainable water. That means going beyond existinginfrastructure and investing in areas that have historically beenleft behind.”This vision is being translated into concrete action through aseries of large-scale infrastructure projects across the province –each at various stages of design, procurement or implementation.Midmar Dam.Inanda Dam.The need for reliable, sustainable water infrastructurein South Africa has never been more urgent. As thecountry contends with ageing infrastructure, servicedelivery backlogs and the rising demand for equitableaccess to water, one utility is taking bold steps towards lastingchange. uMngeni-uThukela Water has unveiled an ambitiousR22-billion capital expenditure (capex) programme over thenext five years, an initiative hailed by Parliament’s PortfolioCommittee on Water and Sanitation as both timely and necessary.Flagship projects driving changeAmong the most notable initiatives is the uMkhomazi WaterProject, a multi-phased development which, upon completion,will significantly ease the burden of water shortage in no fewerthan six Water Services Authorities (WSAs) in KwaZulu-Natal.The first phase of the project includes the construction of a dam,raw-water tunnel, water treatment works, pipelines and reservoirs.With Water User and Off-take Agreements signed in April2024, and Treasury’s approval of a cost-sharing model (50% statefunding and user contributions at R2.58/kl), the groundworkhas been laid for long-term regional supply security.Other transformative projects include:• Lower uMkhomazi Bulk Water Supply Scheme: ServingeThekwini and Ugu, the project is progressing well. NgwadiniDam is 13% complete. The Goodenough Abstraction Worksare 80% complete and Phase 2 – including a 100Ml/d treatmentplant – is due for completion by 2029. This will greatly assistin alleviating water challenges in parts of the Ugu District andthe eThekwini Municipality.• Greater Mpofana Bulk Water Supply Scheme: Phase 1 wascompleted in 2023, benefitting Nottingham Road and Bruntville.Phase 2 involves a 25km steel pipeline to Lions River, set forconstruction in 2024/25.A bold infrastructure strategyAt the heart of uMngeni-uThukela Water’s strategy is a focuson reducing service backlogs, mitigating water losses andrehabilitating ageing infrastructure. These goals are pursuedwith a long-term vision – extending reliable water servicesfar beyond the current bulk infrastructure footprint to reachunderserved municipalities and rural communities still excludedfrom formal water schemes.28 | www.opportunityonline.co.za
WATER• Impendle Bulk Water Supply Scheme: The Stepmore scheme(1.6Ml/d, expandable to 3Ml/d) is due to start in 2026, whilethe Nzinga scheme (13Ml/d, expandable to 18.5Ml/d) is indetailed design, scheduled for 2027.• Southern Ndwedwe and uMshwathi Projects: Key componentssuch as reservoirs and pipelines are progressing, withSouthern Ndwedwe Phase 4 already 75% complete.• Other regional upgrades: Work is also advancing on theLower Thukela Phase 2 upgrade, Maphumulo Phase 3,Mhlabatshane Phase 2, the Vulindlela Scheme and wastewatertreatment projects in Mpophomeni and Darvill.Bridging the urban-rural divideA major strength of uMngeni-uThukela Water’s plan is itsdeliberate focus on underserved areas, particularly rural andperi-urban communities. Many of these communities currentlyfall outside any formal water provision network and have longsuffered from unreliable or non-existent supply.This focus aligns with the Universal Access Plans (UAPs)developed by the utility in collaboration with national andprovincial departments, including the Department of Water andSanitation and the KZN Department of Cooperative Governanceand Traditional Affairs. Completed in 2019, these plans outlineexisting service levels, future demand and infrastructure needsfor all WSAs in the province.The UAPs serve as a roadmap for long-term equitabledevelopment – and the R22-billion capex programme is theirimplementation blueprint.Ensuring implementation through skills and capacityOf course, the success of this massive infrastructure rolloutdepends not just on funding, but also on effective execution.During their oversight visit, members of the Portfolio Committeequestioned whether uMngeni-uThukela Water has the internalcapacity to deliver.The Chief Operating Officer, Mr Sanele Mazibuko, wasconfident in his response: “To give assurance, the utility has overthe past three financial years been performing at over 80% ininfrastructure project rollout. We are relatively confident thatwe will be able to implement the plan.”With a proven track record, the utility appears well-placedto deliver on its promises. The high level of project readiness,the completion of detailed designs and the positive stakeholderengagements further support its capacity.Resilience and climate readinessThe infrastructure programme also includes components aimedat improving climate resilience. After the April 2022 floods,emergency works restored the Durban Heights Water TreatmentWorks and its aqueducts. Upgrades to Nsezi WTW, Thukela-Goedertrouw Transfer Scheme and the Darvill Waste WaterTreatment Works are part of a broader effort to protect waterinfrastructure from future climate shocks.A water-secure future in sightThrough visionary planning, strategic partnerships and acommitment to inclusive development, uMngeni-uThukelaWater is laying the foundation for long-term water security inKwaZulu-Natal.It goes without saying that the R22-billion investment will notonly eliminate supply backlogs and strengthen system resilience– it will also redefine the province’s socio-economic future.Digesters at Darvill WWTW.www.opportunityonline.co.za | 29
