Bulk water pipeline connects new package treatment plants in eThekwini

A FOUR-kilometre bulk water pipeline, referred to as pipeline 1818, which forms part of uMngeni-uThukela Water’s two-phase infrastructure upgrade in kwaXimba, eThekwini Municipality, was handed over by the Minister of Water and Sanitation (DWS), Pemmy Majodina, on 2 May.

DWS said in a social media post on 2 May that Minister Majodina handed over a two-phased package plant in KwaXimba last month, which will address water challenges experienced by the local community and others within eThekwini Metro and the surrounding areas.

The completed Phase 1 of the plant supplies 2 megalitres per day (ML/d) of water, and a second phase is an upgraded water treatment plant that will supply 7 MLML/d. The package plant project is implemented by uMngeni-uThukela Water at a cost of more than R378 million, funded by the Department of Water and Sanitation.

The completed 4 km pipeline connecting the package plant will augment water supply to the surrounding areas of kwaXimba, such as Cato Ridge, which has also experienced an unreliable water supply for a long time, DWS said.

In April, DWS said the upgraded water treatment plant will supply potable water to two of eThekwini’s key reservoirs, D1821 and D1818, which, in turn, will distribute water to villages including Mvini, Bhobhonono, Nkandla, Nonoti, Msunduze, Mhali, Esiweni, Livapo, Nconcosi, Ntukusweni, Zwelisha, Kajabula, Othweba, Kwanyoni, Skhoxe, Kwadenge, and Emngacwini.

Previously, KwaXimba and its surrounding areas relied on a reservoir in Cato Ridge, which received treated water from the Midmar Water Treatment Works through the Western Aqueduct.
However, due to population growth and increased demand, the Cato Ridge reservoir can no longer provide a reliable water supply to all the communities, including the villages.
Majodina said the two package plants will be able to improve water supply to these communities and bring relief to water supply challenges.
“The plant was commissioned last year and is operating well and will remain under the custodianship of uMngeni-uThukela Water, which will ensure that it is protected and properly maintained. We are confident that this project will bring a relief of water supply challenges and will guarantee uninterrupted water supply to the whole of KwaXimba’s ward 1 and the surrounding areas,” Majodina said last month.