Drought halts KZN industrial development
Local industries are aware of the challenges posed by the drought and are actively trying to assist.
As the country continues to suffer from the worst drought in recent history, utility Mhlathuze Water has decided to cut off water allocations to any proposed mining and factory developments in northern KwaZulu-Natal.
Pending water and effluent applications at Mlathuze thus far include 1 million cubic meters (m3) per annum for Tongaat Hulett; 1.3 million cubic meters water and 4.2 million cubic meters brine for Nyanza Light Metals; 24 090m3 for Sanral’s N2 upgrade; 14.6 million cubic meters for Richards Bay Minerals’ Zulti South Mine expansion; 11.4 million cubic meters for Tronox KZN Sands’ Fairbreeze Mine; and more than 20 million cubic meters for the City of uMhlathuze, Zululand Observer reported.
“Current customers will continue to get their contracted water volumes and allocations, taking into account the water restrictions as gazetted,” the utility’s acting CEO Swaswa Ntlhoro said.
Ntlhoro said water requirements from existing and new customers would only be considered when the drought was over and the level of the Goedertrouw Dam had recovered sufficiently.
The water level in the dam, which reached 51% full last year, dropped to 27.1% last week, sparking fears in the agricultural, business and industrial sectors.
Prominent business leader Frans van der Walt believes there are still authority figures downplaying the severity of the dry spell.
Responding to a recent statement by KZN Head of Water and Sanitation Ashley Starkey that said industrial development in Richards Bay was not yet threatened by water shortages, Van der Walt said the situation needed to be taken more seriously by all leaders in government and water circles.
“It is clear some senior officials are in denial of the realities facing this region. Until a combined effort is made by business, agriculture, and local and district authorities to take this situation to the highest levels, we will not see effective action,” he said.
Judith Nzimande, president of the Zululand Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZCCI), said local industries were aware of the challenges and constraints posed by the drought and were actively trying to assist.
“Several business representatives, including members of the ZCCI’s Executive Committee, are part of a drought crisis forum that meets biweekly,” said Nzimande.
“Most industries have made massive cuts to their water consumption and are exceeding Level 4 water restriction requirements,” she said.
Nzimande added the ZCCI was in talks with the Department of Water and Sanitation to ensure the implementation of long-term water supply solutions.
– Caxton News Service
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