Research has shown that South Africa's water crisis can likely be attributed to a lack of investment, as well as physical water scarcity, due to a lack of rain. Almost 25 to 30 percent of our water is being lost due to water leaks caused by failing infrastructure. Mhlathuze Water based in Kwa-Zulu Natal supplies some 37 000km2 from the uThukela River in the South and up the East Coast to the Mozambique and Swaziland borders, around Vryheid and back to the uThukela River. Their services include untreated, purified, and clarified water supply, disposal of industrial and domestic wastewater, and scientific services.
A heavyweight investor in Northern KwaZulu-Natal has expressed satisfaction with the progress made by Mhlathuze Water on the augmentation of its Nsezi Water Treatment Plant to ensure the future security of the water supply.?
THE MULTI-MILLION INVESTMENT
Nyanza Light Metals, a chemicals manufacturer that has made a multi-billion investment towards the construction of a titanium production plant within the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBDIZ) recently toured the Nsezi Water Treatment Plant to inspect the Plant's suitability to meet projected water and effluent discharge demands. The Nezi Water Treatment Plant is currently undergoing a major overhaul which, once completed, shall increase its capacity from 205 mega liters of water per day to 260 mega litres. The work includes upgrading the existing pipeline, the addition of a new 1 500mm diameter pipeline, and the construction of two additional clarifiers. In order to successfully operate its new titanium dioxide pigment and chemicals manufacturing facility. Nyanza Light Metals requires Mhlathuze Water to supply with 30 mega litres of clarified water per day and also provide a pipeline that will dispose of a daily volume of 20.9 mega litres of gypsum.
at theNEZI WATER TREATMENT PLANT UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Head of Strategic Projects and Planning at Nyanza Light Metals, Frank Thema tellsZiMoja, "It was quite reassuring to witness the ongoing construction works atthe Nsezi Water treatment plant. This long-term expansion gives us confidence about the future of water security in line with the projected demands,' he says.
Mhlathuze Water Interim Chief Executive Dr. Simo Lushaba says Mhlathuze Water remained cognisant of the need to balance industrial water demands with the equally important constitutional injunction of ensuring water availability for citizens. "At the same time as we fulfill our role of being enablers for economic development and job creation and poverty alleviation, we have not lost sight of the need to ensure that communities do not get left behind in its efforts to expand the supply of water,' Lushaba adds.
He further says that Mhlathuze Water was working closely with municipalities to assist with their water challenges.
"Currently we are working with the uMkhanyakude District Municipality to improve their household water reticulation; we are also busy with the construction of a 15 mega litre water treatment plant to improve the water situation in Esikhaleni.'
