Yesterday morning (September 22), uThukela District Mayor Siphiwe Mazibuko was at the Ezakheni C-Section Community Hall to introduce contractors to undertake water conservation and demand management.

The uThukela mayor was accompanied by Water, Sanitation & Technical Services chairperson Cllr S Dlungwane, as well as ward councillors.

According to the explanation by the mayor, the project itself involves the repairs of critical bulk and secondary bulk water components, including valves, meters, strainers and the structural integrity of chambers so that the community of Ezakheni will be able to have regular and uninterrupted water supply. Currently, there are some water challenges caused by leaks.

“This project also aims to eliminate and minimise leakages by repairing and recommissioning pressure-reducing valves and altitude valves within Ezakheni. When completed, it will serve approximately 12,441 households in the area. The project will also create about 30 temporary job opportunities for locals,” said Mayor Mazibuko.

The project is envisaged to take up to 40 weeks to complete and has been awarded to two private companies, namely DLV Project Managers & Engineers (Pty) Ltd and Maxode Trading & Projects. It includes bulk metering and telemetry to calculate water balancing, thereby ascertaining accurate water demand. This will also assist in determining major water losses and determining areas that require urgent intervention by comparing actual demands to theoretical demands.

The councillors welcomed the project brought by uThukela, saying that it will assist and resolve water challenges faced by the community. At Maphemvana, Emachibini and Emaromini/Engilandi (Ward 7), the team was joined by Ward Cllr Madinane for the handover of two hand pumps.

“We are here to hand over these hand pumps to the community and they now belong to the very same community. We therefore urge you to look after them well. We will be responsible for the maintenance,” the mayor explained. Speaking on behalf of the community, the induna thanked the mayor for what he has done. He said this area should be proud to have water after they have struggled in the past.

The last stop was at Kwakhethomthandayo to introduce a contractor who will undertake a sanitation project. This comes after a recent assessment, which was conducted in terms of the challenges this community is facing. Addressing the community, Mayor Mazibuko emphasised the importance of bringing this sanitation project to the area. “We are bringing this sanitation project here because it is our aim to restore people’s dignity and hygienic environment, as it is our duty to make sure the community has its basic needs met. The project will also create temporal jobs for locals,” said the mayor.

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He urged the community to work hand-in-hand with the service provider to get the job done in time. About 50 households are expected to benefit from the project.

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