ACCORDING to eThekwini Municipality Mayor Cyril Xaba, communities in the south of Durban will soon enjoy a stable, reliable water supply as the Lower Umkhomazi Bulk Water Supply Project is progressing well.

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Xaba said this on March 26, during an oversight visit to the project, which is being constructed by uMngeni-uThukela Water.

Also part of the visit were the chairperson of the uMngeni-uThukela Water Board, Advocate Vusi Khuzwayo, Trading Services Committee’s chairperson, councillor Mdu Nkosi, members of the executive management, and eThekwini’s technical teams.

The R11b project is 50% complete, and it comprises a dam, abstraction works, and a water treatment plant, and it is built on the Umkhomazi River.

Areas set to benefit from the supply include Isipingo, Amanzimtoti, KwaMakhutha, Craigieburn, Umgababa, Mfume, Umnini, Magabheni, Thoyana, and Umkomaas.

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The project commenced in 2023, however, it encountered delays after the tender award process was challenged in court. It got back on track after the disputing parties resolved matters.

Upon completion in 2029, the project is expected to produce 100 megalitres of water per day.

Of this, 70 megalitres will be supplied to eThekwini, while 30 megalitres will be allocated to the Ugu District Municipality.

Xaba commended uMngeni-uThukela Water for the significant progress made in implementing the project.

“I am pleased that the court action, which delayed the construction of this project, has been resolved. The water utility has assured me that mitigation measures have been put in place to shorten the timelines. What excites me even more is that once we begin receiving 70 megalitres in the southern areas, we will be able to redirect this supply to the central and northern areas, thereby balancing water distribution across the City,” said Xaba.

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