‘R23 billion solution to water woes’
Tbe Umkhomazi Water Project will increase water security in the uMngeni Water Supply System which supplies the Ugu District.
The Department of Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu has urged municipalities to ensure the collection of water revenue from all consumers, warning that the culture of non-payment for services will lead to a ‘total collapse’ of infrastructure.
Mchunu was speaking on Tuesday last week during a virtual media briefing where he announced the resuscitation of the R23 billion Umkhomazi Water Project which will increase water security in the uMngeni Water Supply System which supplies the Ugu District.
While a number of areas in the Ugu district go on for days without water, Mchunu said the Umkhomazi Water Project will ensure water security in 2030.
The minister said the South African Human Rights Commission recently published a report on the state of water in the province.
“The report correctly pointed out that there are many challenges with regard to providing all citizens in the province with access to reliable water supply. The report included recommendations for actions by the Department of Water and Sanitation, including the need to take regulatory actions where necessary, and the department is implementing the recommendations,” said Mchunu.
He added that the municipalities should account for every last drop of water supplied to consumers, adding that collecting only from those who paid voluntarily would be disastrous because they would be burdened and overwhelmed by the escalating bill.
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