Umhlanga wastewater plant refurbishment on track
The area's Ward councillor, Bradley Singh, said the upgrade to the Umhlanga Waste Water Treatment Works is progressing smoothly and should be complete by January 2026.
THE long-awaited R60m refurbishment of the Umhlanga Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW) is progressing on schedule, with completion expected by January 2026, according to local Ward councillor Bradley Singh.
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Singh confirmed that the project, which began in May 2025, includes a complete revamp of the purifier and upgrades across the entire plant.
“The contractor on site is very professional and they are working according to schedule. Once this plant is fully operational, it will have the capacity to handle all sewage flowing into the facility,” he said.
The upgrade is being carried out by Macala Fuze Development under the supervision of Naidu Consulting. It follows years of sewage spills and odour complaints in the area, which worsened after the plant sustained damage during a storm.
Singh said the project had faced a brief delay at the start due to security guarantee requirements, but once resolved, work began immediately.
“With this plant working at full capacity, it will be able to prevent the recurring sewage spills the area has been experiencing,” he added.
The councillor noted that while major reductions in odours and spills will only be seen once construction is completed, residents can expect significant improvements.
He added that contractors have ensured minimal disruption, as the plant is located in the middle of a sugarcane plantation, away from residential areas.
According to Singh, the upgrade will also future-proof the facility.
“The upgraded plant will meet the needs of Umhlanga and Durban North’s growth,” he said.
In a story published in the Northglen News on May 30 (City adds insight to waste water project, Page 4) municipal spokesperson Gugu Sisilana confirmed that the refurbishment is designed to restore the facility’s compliance with environmental standards.
The City did not provide an update at the time of publishing.
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