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The Department of Water and Sanitation and its recently merged water utility, uMngeni -uThukela Water, has set wheels in motion to address water challenges in the uMgungundlovu District Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal.

This is through the upgrade of Phase 1 of the Vulindlela Bulk Water Supply Scheme to improve the availability and supply of drinking water to various communities in the uMgungundlovu District, including Msunduzi and the uMngeni Local Municipalities.

The Vulindlela Bulk Water Supply Scheme is one government’s most successful projects post 1994 and is situated in Vulindlela, west of Pietermaritzburg. The initial Bulk Water Supply Scheme was constructed in 1998 and was subsequently fully operational following its adoption as a National Presidential Lead Project.

The upgrading of the bulk water scheme is as a result of the population growth of Vulindlela over the past decade as well as the increased municipal demand for water. 

One of the key components of the Phase 1 upgrade will be the construction of a new reservoir to increase drinking water storage by an additional 20 mega litres per day to reach 35 mega litres per day, so that more water will become available for distribution to communities within the Vulindlela region.

The upgrades will also include the installation of new pipelines between different reservoirs and the construction of a new pump station to increase supply of water and augmentation of power supply.

Adding to this, the Department through its entity, has recently completed the upgrade of the Darvill Wastewater Treatment Works which treats domestic and industrial sewage from areas within the Msunduzi Local Municipality’s jurisdiction from the treatment capacity of 65 mega litres per day to 100 mega litres per day.

The Darvill Wastewater Treatment Works is the first of its kind innovative and ground-breaking project that has encompassed a pilot wastewater recycling plant. It is able to treat 2 mega litres per day of wastewater water to drinking water quality standards and it also has an electricity cogeneration capacity element.

The water treated to drinking standards is currently being used mainly for cleaning and sanitation purposes at the wastewater treatment site.

The Department is exploring the infrastructure further for cogeneration of electricity at the same Plant, using waste being treated there. This has the potential for the Plant to become self-sufficient for its electricity needs.

During the upgrade of the Plant, there were significant benefits for the locals with close to 400 jobs created, as well as economic stimulation for Pietermaritzburg and parts of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. Of significance is the improvement brought about by the works of the treatment Plant, which has increased its capacity to treat wastewater to improve the quality of discharges into the river system, particularly the Msunduzi River, resulting in reduced levels of pollution.

The estimated number of people who are set to benefit directly from the upgrade of the Darvill WWTW is 700 000, through proper and effective effluent treatment.

President Cyril Ramaphosa and Minister Senzo Mchunu, along with several senior government officials in the province will conduct oversight inspections of the Vulindlela Bulk Water Supply Scheme and the Darvill Wastewater Treatment Works this week. This will be done to inspect work which is being carried out and provide progress reports to the public through a public engagement programme at the Vulindlela Sports Ground at Taylor’s Halt in Vulindlela.

The Department and its entities across the country has reiterated its commitment to improving the provision of bulk water across the country and the maintenance of bulk water infrastructure.

Issued by the Department of Water & Sanitation and uMngeni-uThukela Water