UPDATE: Water breakthrough for uMkhanyakude
DWS-issued water tankers to give uMkhanyakude District some financial breathing space.
THE 15 new water tankers now in operation in uMkhanyakude District courtesy of the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) will help alleviate the critical water shortage.
‘I can confirm that, as the district municipality, we are facing a serious crisis when it comes to supplying water,’ said uMkhanyakude District spokesperson Mdu Dlamini.
‘Our municipality has a mandate to provide safe drinking water to the communities.
‘The effective and consistent delivery of safe water requires aggressive programmes to protect sources of supply, regular investment to replace and renew infrastructure to enhance water quality and service delivery, as well as diligent treatment operations’.
Dlamini said the municipality is focusing on providing new water schemes for Jozini, uMhlabuyalingana and Hlabisa.
The Shemula water scheme in uMhlabuyalingana will see more than 50 000 residences gain access to water, positively affecting Ingwavuma, Bhambanana, Ndumo, oPhondweni and Manguzi.
Regarding the Mtubatuba waterworks, Dlamini said the dry Mfolozi River has forced uMkhanyakude to excavate for water, as well as haul water from Hluhluwe Dam, which is also drying up.
Referring to the DWS-issued tankers as a ‘breakthrough’, Dlamini said the district municipality has been afforded some breathing space and can now save the R700 000 previously spent on hiring water tankers.
‘The municipality is currently phasing out the water tankers that were on contract.’
