Tongaat Hulett to help solve Tongaat’s water crisis [Watch]

As authorities scramble to come up with quick solutions to address Tongaat’s ongoing water crisis, sugar giant Tongaat Hulett has agreed to manage and speed up the project to repair the damaged Tongaat water treatment plant that was severely damaged during the recent floods.

Tongaat has been without water for almost a month.

Tongaat Hulett’s head of communications, Virginia Horsley, said on Tuesday the resumption of water supply to the Tongaat area was a priority for the company.

“While we are not responsible for the provision of water, many of our staff and surrounding community members remain without water.

“After extensive engagement with government and other stakeholders, Tongaat Hulett has agreed to lend its expertise to help resolve the problem. This will be done in conjunction with the eThekwini metro and we are in the process of finalising the implementation agreement,” Horsley said.

Tongaat extracts raw, untreated water from the Mona River. eThekwini metro then draws water from this pipeline which goes to the Tongaat water treatment works before being distributed to the community.

“The pipeline from the Mona River was damaged in the floods but despite the significant personal impact the floods had on many of our employees, they worked tirelessly throughout the Easter weekend to ensure that raw water was restored to the Maidstone mill,” said Horsley.

“Tongaat Hulett owns the land on which the access road and raw water supply pipe is situated. Unfortunately a dam wall was washed away in the floods and Tongaat Hulett has expedited the process of repairing it and the raw water supply pipe at a cost of about R15-million,” said Horsley.

“In the interim, Tongaat has partnered with eThekwini metro and other stakeholders to help supply water to the Tongaat community. This included partnering with Uzinzo Sugar Farming and LaFarge to provide 164 000 litres of water to households in and around Maidstone. A JoJo tank has also been bought for the Tongaat clinic to support staff and patients. We are at the early stages of reviewing opportunities for eThekwini to lay a temporary water pipe across Tongaat Hulett’s land between reservoirs to fast-track supply.”

Deputy minister for water and sanitation, David Mahlobo, attended a public meeting at the Hambanathi Resource Centre on Monday to hear directly from the residents.

The plant was constructed by Tongaat Hulett before it was taken over by eThekwini metro.

They wanted to know why, if Tongaat Hulett was able to install pipes to provide the plant with water, eThekwini could not do the same.

Mahlobo said he was willing to investigate the possibility.

“We must take into consideration any possible plans presented. The main goal here is to get you water,” said Mahlobo.

He referred to a comment by resident Joseph Mthembu, who said he used to work at the plant and claimed Hambanathi would be able to receive water in the same way as Tongaat Hulett.

“I will meet with Tongaat Hulett tomorrow (Tuesday) and present this to them,” said Mahlobo.

eThekwini’s head of water services, Ednick Msweli, said the biggest challenge remained reaching the plant as the road had been washed away.

He said the road repair should be completed by May 25, by which time the plans will be compared to determine which would offer the quickest rebuild of the plant between eThekwini and Tongaat Hulett.

“If Tongaat Hulett has a better plan, by all means let them do the job so that people can get water,” said Msweli.

eThekwini said in the short-term, Tongaat residents would continue to receive water via water tankers.

The installation of static tanks and use of boreholes will help alleviate the problem.

A medium-term solution includes exploring the viability of reviving the Umvoti water works. Discussions are underway with the iLembe district municipality to explore this option.

Redirecting water from Hazelmere to Tongaat is also being discussed.

Regarding water tankers, residents complained that not enough water tankers were available to meet demand and the tankers only delivered one load and did not return. Residents asked to be notified when tankers deliver water so that those who work can make arrangements for collections.

“We have agreed that each tanker must do three or more loads per day,” Mahlobo said.

Tongaat Hulett’s corporate affairs executive, Nkonzo Mhlongo, said they were committed to being part of the solution.

“We have invested R15-million to help rebuild the road to the plant and we hope that will fast-track the process,” said Mhlongo.

Umgeni Water Board member Visvin Reddy said water supply had been reduced by 20% to areas outside Tongaat so that supply could be increased to reservoirs serving Tongaat.

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