Flowing Mfolozi River brings some relief
Hopes are that the river will not dry up too soon, once again drying up water supply to Mtubatuba and surrounds
THE Black Mfolozi River was flowing bank-to-bank through Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park (HiP) last weekend after last week’s heavy rainfall in Vryheid, the source of the river, eventually made its way into our region.
The confluence of the Black and White Mfolozi rivers at the eastern edge of HiP forms the Mfolozi River which runs under the N2 towards St Lucia. This, too, was reportedly flowing strongly on Saturday.
Despite the river’s replenishment, residents who had been without running water for more than a week and who rely on the river for tap water – which is pumped and treated from Mtubatuba waterworks’ pumps on the river – did not experience immediate relief.
By late Sunday afternoon Mtubatuba Town and Nordale residents reported a resumption of water services, while KwaMsane on Monday still reported no water and St Lucia reported on Tuesday morning water of a low pressure had begun trickling into the reservoir.
It is hoped the river will not dry up too soon, leaving residents once again with an intermittent supply.
Meanwhile, it was reported on Tuesday that the major leak in the pipeline running adjacent to the N2 near the Mtubatuba exit would soon be repaired.
uMkhanyakude District Municipality is tasked with completing this repair before Friday or face a contempt of court charge.
