Senior leadership of the City met with residents from oThongathi on 4 May to discuss possible 

solutions to the water challenges currently being faced in the area.

 

EThekwini Municipality acknowledges the frustration of oThongathi residents due to the interrupted water supply. This was caused by damage to the water treatment works during the recent floods, which greatly impacted water supply in the area.

 

During the engagement, the Municipality assured residents that the issue was being taken seriously and that oThongathi was being prioritised in terms of water supply, while discussions to rebuild the treatment plant are underway.  

 

As part of the short-term plan, oThongathi residents will continue to receive water through water tankers with the assistance of the community and councillors. Included in the short-term plan is the installation of static tanks and the usage of boreholes.

 

Medium-term solutions include exploring the viability and timelines of reviving the Umvoti Works. Discussions are currently underway with the iLembe District to confirm the possibility of this alternative. Options of the City using Siza water boreholes to redirect water from Hazelmere to oThongathi are also being discussed.

 

Processes to start rebuilding the oThongathi Water Treatment Works are currently underway. Due to the extent of the damage and that the restoration of the treatment works will require a full upgrade, the project is expected to take six months.

 

The Municipality apologises for the inconvenience caused and requests the public to be patient while the City works to resolve the water issues.

 

 

ENDS

Issued by the eThekwini Municipality’s Communications Unit