Review shows Umgeni Water is flowing smoothly

Billions are set to be spent on water infrastructure this year, according to Umgeni Water.

The KZN water board released in its half-year reviewed interim statements, showing that water security, water quality, and low tariff charges were a priority going forward.

The mid-year review showed that along with their budget, customer confidence, volume sales growth, and cost containment were among the key factors that contributed to Umgeni Water flowing smoothly from July to December last year.

Also read: Stanger woman fined for using “taxi routes”

The water board showed an increase of 19, 32 percent in profit and revenue growth of 19, 9 percent, mainly as a result of bulk water revenue increase of 21, 9 percent.

Some of Umgeni Water’s achievements were:

• Excellence in drinking water quality, in terms of standards set by South African National Standards 241: 2015.
• A surplus/profit of R1, 2 billion, which will be used, in part, for infrastructure required to improve the security of water supply, reduce water backlogs in under-served or un-served communities and also keep tariffs at affordable levels
• Confirmation of a budget of R1,8 billion to be spent in the current financial year (2018/19) on infrastructure. Approximately one-third of this amount will be spent on infrastructure to assist rural development and the rest on infrastructure that will expand and augment water resources, and on upgrades, maintenance and rehabilitation of infrastructure.

Umgeni Water CEO Thami Hlongwa said it was important that Umgeni Water continues to post positive results because this enables it to deliver on its mandate to make access to safe drinking water possible and easier, to secure future water supply and to also make drinking water affordable through maintaining tariffs at levels that are affordable.

A key future focus area will be continued financial resilience and building of financial resources in order to meet infrastructure implementation targets and commitments in the next five years.

Be the first to receive breaking news straight to your device with our newly launched push notifications! Simply visit our website and click on the icon shown above.

Do you want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname to 061 718 4438.

Please read our WhatsApp broadcast list disclaimer.
Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram