Remarks for the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Mr Senzo Mchunu at the Media engagement session on KZN water and sanitation issues, at the Durban ICC
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen,
Members of the media,
Thank you very much for honouring our invitation.
Let me also extend my greetings to:
Deputy Minister Judith Tshabalala,
Mayor of eThekwini Metro, Cllr Mxolisi Kaunda,
Advocate Vusi Khuzwayo, Chairperson of the newly established Umngeni-Uthukela Water,
Board Members of Umngeni-Uthukela Water present,
Acting Chief Executive of Umngeni-Uthukela Water, Dr Sipho Manana,
Chairperson of TCTA, Ms Precious Sibiya,
Chief Executive of TCTA, Mr Percy Sechemane,
Director-General, Dr. Sean Phillips,
Deputy Director-General: Water and Sanitation Services Management, Mr Risimati Mathye,
All Government Officials.
Background: KZN / eThekwini water supply
We are here in the main, to update and engage members of the media and the public on water security in eThekwini and other districts, particularly on Phase I of the uMkhomazi Water Project, water and sanitation services in eThekwini and the province as a whole. We will also update you on the reconfiguration of the two Water Boards in KZN.
eThekwini Metro is supplied through the uMngeni Water System, as well as its own water supply schemes in the North and South. According to recent statistics, there are 11.5 million citizens throughout the KZN province, with eThekwini housing over 3,9 million citizens.
Although South Africa has an average annual rainfall of less than 500 mm, well below the world average of 850 mm, KZN receives variable rainfall, with an average of 823 mm.
eThekwini Municipality uses 52% of all water supplied to the province and 70% of what is supplied by uMngeni-uThukela Water, with the average per capita water consumption estimated at ± 281 l/c/day, compared to the country’s average of 217 l/c/day and the world average of 174 l/c/day – this is very worrisome.
One aspect we have constantly alluded to pertains to aged or old infrastructure and lack of effective O&M by municipalities. eThekwini’s non-revenue water stands at 58.2% (45% of it is lost through leaks from its various transmission pipes, pumping and storage systems). This amounts to a revenue loss of around R2 billion per annum. eThekwini has been experiencing intermittent water supply challenges and as a tourist destination, this negatively impacts on the country’s economic progress.
uMkhomazi water project
Now, we are pleased to announce that the R23 billion uMkhomazi Water Project has been resuscitated, after being stalled for several years. This project will increase water security in the uMngeni Water Supply System which supplies eThekwini, uMgungundlovu, iLembe, Ugu, Harry Gwala District Municipalities and Msunduzi Local Municipality and ensure water security in 2030.
This represents progress after a number of meetings with the Ministers of Finance, CoGTA and the Mayor of eThekwini.
The Trans Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA) will implement the raw water component of the project, while the potable water component will be implemented by uMngeni-uThukela Water.
This means that, the ball is now in eThekwini’s court to start consultations and complete them as soon as possible so that the project can really start without any further delays.
These consultations will also enable TCTA to start raising 50% of the finance required for the project on the market. The remaining 50% will be funded by National Treasury, through a 25% loan to the TCTA and a 25% grant. The contribution to the project from the fiscus enables the water that will be provided to be affordable to the municipalities.
We now want TCTA to proceed with planning and design work right away so that construction can start as soon as possible in 2024 / 2025.
Water and sanitation challenges in eThekwini
DWS has completed the raising of the Hazelmere Dam wall by 7.02 metres. This immediately means that eThekwini has additional water. Following the floods, Aqueducts 1 and 2 were damaged. Repairs to Aqueduct 1 have been completed and it is back online; repairs to Aqueduct 2 have also been completed; it is back online and will be commissioned soon.
The shortages of water in the South and other areas require a number of accelerated activities, including the completion of repairs to eThekwini’s own south-bound Aqueduct. We are aware of several infrastructure projects by eThekwini, and these represent a positive development.
The next priority activities would be to deal with non-revenue water and physical losses, O&M, billing and revenue collection. DWS is working in partnership with National Treasury and the Department of Cooperative Governance to support eThekwini to improve its water and sanitation services. In this regard, the City has put in place a Water & Sanitation Turnaround Strategy. The private sector will be an additional component in the accelerated efforts and will play a role
Another urgent priority is on wastewater infrastructure in the City. In this regard, eThekwini and Umngeni-Uthukela Water have agreed on an immediate target of 10 wastewater plants for refurbishment, operation and maintenance, representing 90% of the effluent that the City treats and eThekwini needs to sign the Service-Level Agreement soonest.
Water and sanitation in KZN
The South African Human Rights Commission recently published a report on the state of water in the province. The report correctly pointed out that there are many challenges with regard to providing all citizens in the province with access to reliable water supply. The report included recommendations for actions by the Department of Water and Sanitation, including the need to take regulatory actions where necessary, and the Department is implementing the recommendations.
As part of developments of the landscape of water in KZN, we want to indicate that as part of the uMkhomazi catchment, Umngeni-Uthukela is at an advanced stage on Stephen Dam, which will have a direct impact in the Harry Gwala District, which has a deficit of about 53% in water provision.
uMngeni-uThukela Water is at an advanced stage in the construction of additional capacity to abstract and treat raw water from the lower Mkhomazi River, to enable it to supply an additional 100 Ml/day of clean water by 2026.
We are exploring building the off channel New Bigen Dam in uMzimkhulu and raising the wall of the Kempsdale Dam.
Furthermore, in line with the Vision 2040 Growth Development Strategy of the province, we have given a directive to uMngeni-uThukela Water Board to construct an additional 600 Ml/day water treatment works to treat water abstracted from the upper Mkomazi River to supply eThekwini and surroundings from 2032 and beyond. The Department is monitoring these plans closely.
Vulindlela Water Scheme is already underway, and this is a project that was commissioned by President Ramaphosa on the 21st of July this year. The scheme will cater for 350 000 people / 61 500 households in the uMgungundlovu area.
A few months before that, the Spring Grove Water Treatment Plant in Rosetta as well as the Bruntville Reservoir in Mooi River were commissioned, with the scheme benefiting 1329 households.
Seveval projects are underway in uThukela, following our visit there; we will be visiting uMzinyathi before the end of the year to launch a number of projects there as well. Provision of water in this District is disastrous.
There are several schemes in the province, including in Zululand and uThukela, that have lasted for a number of years without completion. These schemes now require a different approach in light of desperation for water, on the side of communities. This will include, initiating a number of projects in the near future.
In King Cetshwayo District and its municipalities, there is an acute shortage of water which requires intervention in the same manner as in other similar Districts. We will be completing some plans after which, we will engage stakeholders there.
The uMkhanyakude intervention under section 63 is progressing well and all projects in the 4 municipalities are underway, with Hlabisa waiting to benefit from the Mandlakazi Scheme.
Introduction of the new uMngeni-uThukela water board and conclusion
Cabinet concurred with the appointment of a new Board for uMngeni-uThukela Water. The newly appointed 12-member Board comprises of individuals who collectively possess Science, Engineering, Law, Accounting and Finance competencies. I would like to present the new Board to you all and would request that the members just rise upon the announcement of their names. We have:
- Advocate Vusi Khuzwayo as the Chairperson.
- Ms Nothando Mkhize as the Deputy Chairperson.
- Ms Senamile Masango
- Mr Khanyisani Shandu
- Ms Sylvia Mhlongo
- Mr Lavandran Gopaul
- Ms Hlengiwe Mvubu
- Mr Timothy Cornish
- Ms Diana Hoorzuk
- Mr Sipho Mtolo
- Mr Sibusiso Mkhize
We have orientated the Board on the Ministry’s priorities and have pledged our support to them as they carry out their duties. We wish them well as they serve the residents of KZN with their basic human rights.
At this point ladies and gentlemen, I would like to hand over to the Honourable Mayor for his brief remarks.
Enquiries: Kamogelo Mogotsi Cell: 076 523 0085 Wisane Mavasa Cell: 060 561 8935
