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Author: uMngeni-uThukela Water

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MEDIA STATEMENT: MINISTER MAJODINA APPLAUDS UMNGENI-UTHUKELA WATER ON AA+ CREDIT RATING

Tuesday, 22 October 2024

The Minister of Water and Sanitation, Ms Pemmy Majodina, has commended uMngeni-uThukela Water for its recent positive AA+ rating by Fitch Ratings, attributing this significant achievement to prudent financial management and strong leadership at the KwaZulu-Natal water utility. This is the second year running that the Water Board has scored a AA+ credit rating since its reconfiguration in 2023.

In granting the AA+ rating to uMngeni-uThukela Water, the London-based international ratings agency noted that the water utility had a stable financial outlook. This is ascribed to a strong and solid partnership with national government which meant that there was effective oversight over the institution’s operations.

Fitch also indicated that the water utility remained on course to meeting its borrowing limits and loan repayments for the 2024/25 financial year. A higher rating means that, should it need to do so, uMngeni-uThukela can borrow at a lower interest rate which augurs well for financing large scale water infrastructure development and
maintenance projects.

Minister Majodina said: “Along with Rand Water in Gauteng, which had also received an AA+ rating from Fitch’s, uMngeni-uThukela had shown that with the right discipline and adherence to sound governance principles, state-owned entities can balance their developmental mandates with prudent financial management”.

The Minister however expressed concern that the high levels of water losses and infrastructure implementation delays posed a risk for uMngeni-uThukela Water’s long term credit rating. “While we welcome the positive credit rating of uMngeni-uThukela Water by Fitch Ratings, it is extremely concerning that among the risks that could pose a risk for the future sustainability of the organization is high water losses at municipal levels. This is one area that continues to be a major concern for us as the Department of Water and Sanitation and which is receiving our immediate attention”, said Minister Majodina.”

Minister Majodina said that the report represents an expression of confidence in the ability of the South African government and the Department of Water and Sanitation to ensure the ongoing financial viability of the water utility.

ENDS

ISSUED BY THE MINISTRY OF WATER AND SANITATION AND UMNGENI-UTHUKELA WATER

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Alerts Highlight

PLANNED WATER SUPPLY INTERRUPTION FROM LOWER THUKELA WATERWORKS

Tuesday, 22 October 2024

uMngeni-uThukela Water will conduct a 14-hour planned shutdown of its Lower uThukela Water Works on Thursday, 24 October 2024 from 06h00 to 20h00.
This is to replace a malfunctioning isolation valve and to scour the pipeline.
The following areas will be affected by water supply interruptions while the maintenance work is in progress:
  • Zinkwazi,
  • San Sounci,
  • Darnall,
  • Lindelani,
  • Nonoti,
  • Blythedale,
  • Saunders Reservoir,
  • Glenhills,
  • Warrenton,
  • Stanger Manor,
  • High Ridge,
  • Shakaville,
  • Townview,
  • Mbozamo,
  • Honolulu Reservoir and Groutville,
  • Ntshawini and
  • Melville,
We apologise for the inconvenience that will be caused by the interruption. We urge the public to continue using water sparingly.
End

Issued by: Marketing, Communications and Stakeholder Management Unit, Office of the Chief Executive, uMngeni-uThukela Water

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DISRUPTION OF WATER SUPPLY ON THE 53 PIPELINE FROM DV HARRIS WATER WORKS DUE TO REPAIRS

MEDIA AND PUBLIC NOTICE

Wednesday, 2 October 2024

uMngeni-uThukela Water has detected a leak in the 53 pipeline which supplies water from the DV Harris Water Works to reservoirs in Umlaas Road.

This has necessitated an immediate shut of the pipeline in order for the damage to be assessed and repaired.

The pipeline supplies approximately 30 mega litres of water per day to parts of the uMgungundlovu District and the eThekwini Metro.

The following areas may have their water supply affected while repairs are in progress:

  • Umbumbulu
  • Eston
  • Mid-illovo
  • Camperdown
  • Parts of the Outer West of eThekwini

We apologise for any disruption that will be caused during the repair work. We also urge the public to continue to use water sparingly.

Ends

Issued by: Marketing, Communications and Stakeholder Management Unit, Office of the Chief Executive, uMngeni-uThukela Water

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Announcements Highlight

Media and public notice: Postponement of planned 12-hour water supply interruption from lower Thukela Water Treatment works due to bad weather

MEDIA AND PUBLIC NOTICE

Monday, 30 September 2024

uMngeni-uThukela Water has postponed a 12-hour shutdown of its Lower UThukela Water Treatment Works which was planned for Tuesday, 1 October 2024 due to bad weather.

The new date for the shutdown is now Thursday, 3 October 2024.

The shutdown will commence at 06h00 until 18h00.

This is to  replace a malfunctioning isolation valve and to also scour the pipeline.

The following areas under the Ilembe District  will be affected by water supply interruptions while the maintenance work is in progress:

Zinkwazi, San Sounci, Darnall, Lindelani, Nonoti, Blythedale, Saunders Reservoir, Glenhills, Warrenton, Stanger Manor, High Ridge, Shakaville, Townview, Mbozamo, Honolulu Reservoir and Groutville, Ntshawini, Melville.

We apologise for any disruption that will be caused during the maintenance work.

Issued by: Corporate Stakeholder Management Unit, Office of the Chief Executive, uMngeni-uThukela Water

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Announcements Highlight

Improvements noted in treated water volumes at the Durban Heights Water Works after decrease in algae

MEDIA AND PUBLIC STATEMENT
Monday, 26 August 2024

uMngeni-uThukela Water’s efforts to reduce the amount of algae in the water being treated at the Durban Heights Water Works have begun bearing fruit. Over the weekend, uMngeni-uThukela Water was able to increase its production volumes from 500 mega litres to 580 mega litres at the Durban Heights Water Works. This water is supplied to parts of the north and south of the eThekwini Municipality.

The increased supply is due to uMngeni-uThukela Water’s ongoing efforts which include the optimisation of its treatment processes to rid the water of excess algae as well as using advanced chemical treatment methods to unclog its filters. Our water quality monitoring has also been increased in order to detect and act against the presence of algae in raw water from the Albert Falls-Nagle Dam system.

While the situation has not yet normalised, there are promising signs of a decrease in the algal count in water from the Albert Falls-Nagle Dam system. uMngeni-uThukela Water continues to monitor the raw water quality and we anticipate that the problem will be resolved once the algal count from Albert Falls-Nagle Dam subsides.

Over the past two weeks, there has been a substantial increase of volumes of algae in water received from the Albert Falls-Nagle Dam system. While the increased presence of algae is not common in the colder winter season, there has been an increased algal count at the Durban Heights Water Works which has led to the clogging of filters.

We apologise for the inconvenience caused.

Issued by: Office of the Chief Executive, Marketing, Communications and Stakeholder Management Unit

WE URGE THE PUBLIC TO CONTINUE USING WATER SPARINGLY.

Categories
Announcements Highlight

Improvements noted in treated water volumes at the Durban Heights Water Works after decrease in algae

MEDIA AND PUBLIC STATEMENT
Monday, 26 August 2024

uMngeni-uThukela Water’s efforts to reduce the amount of algae in the water being treated at the Durban Heights Water Works have begun bearing fruit.  Over the weekend, uMngeni-uThukela Water was able to increase its production volumes from 500 mega litres to 580 mega litres at the Durban Heights Water Works. This water is supplied to parts of the north and south of the eThekwini Municipality.

The increased supply is due to uMngeni-uThukela Water’s ongoing efforts which include the optimisation of its treatment processes to rid the water of excess algae as well as using advanced chemical treatment methods to unclog its filters.  Our water quality monitoring has also been increased in order to detect and act against the presence of algae in raw water from the Albert Falls-Nagle Dam system.

While the situation has not yet normalised, there are promising signs of a decrease in the algal count in water from the Albert Falls-Nagle Dam system.  uMngeni-uThukela Water continues to monitor the raw water quality and we anticipate that the problem will be resolved once the algal count from Albert Falls-Nagle Dam subsides.

Over the past two weeks, there has been a substantial increase of volumes of algae in water received from the Albert Falls-Nagle Dam system.  While the increased presence of algae is not common in the colder winter season, there has been an increased algal count at the Durban Heights Water Works which has led to the clogging of filters.

We apologise for the inconvenience caused.

WE URGE THE PUBLIC TO CONTINUE USING WATER SPARINGLY.

Issued by: Office of the Chief Executive, Marketing, Communications and Stakeholder Management Unit

Categories
Announcements Highlight

Media And Public Statement: Temporary reduction in treated water volumes at the Durban Heights Water Works due to algae growth

Issued by: Office of the Chief Executive, Marketing, Communications and Stakeholder Management Unit

 Thursday, 22 August 2024

uMngeni-uThukela Water’s Durban Heights Water Treatment Works is currently treating reduced volumes of water due to filters being clogged by large volumes of algae. This has affected the volumes of treated water being supplied to some parts of the north and south of the eThekwini Municipality.

Over the past two weeks, there has been a substantial increase of volumes of algae in water received from the Albert Falls-Nagle Dam system.  While the increased presence of algae is not common in the colder winter season, there has been an increased algal count at the Durban Heights Water Works which has led to the clogging of filters.

Due to this increased presence of algae in raw water, the Durban Heights Water Treatment is currently unable to treat the full amounts of raw water it normally supplies to its customers.

uMngeni-uThukela Water is currently implementing a number of interventions including optimising its water treatment processes and using advanced chemical treatment methods to unclog its filters.  We are also undertaking ongoing water quality and quantity monitoring to ensure the production of safe drinking water.

We apologise for the inconvenience caused.

WE URGE THE PUBLIC TO CONTINUE USING WATER SPARINGLY

Categories
Alerts Announcements Highlight

Media and Public Notice: Temporary planned shutdown of Hazelmere Water Works

Friday, 26 July 2024

uMngeni-uThukela Water will on Saturday, 27 July 2024 temporarily shutdown its Hazelmere Water Works Dam to replace a faulty meter.

The work will commence at 9h00 until 14h00 on the same day. During this time there will be some water supply interruption to Groutville and Shakaskraal under the Ilembe District.

We apologise for the inconvenience caused by the reduced supply.

Issued by: Marketing, Communications and Stakeholder Management Unit, Office of the Chief Executive

WE URGE THE PUBLIC TO CONTINUE USING WATER SPARINGLY

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Announcements Highlight

Press Release – SANS 241: Open for public comment

The South African National Standard (SANS) 241 is a drinking water specification that states the minimum requirements for potable water to be considered safe for human consumption.  The South African Bureau of Standards (SABS), in terms of the Standards Act, 2008 (Act No. 8 of 2008), is requesting for review and comments on the revised South African National Standard (SANS) 241.

To submit your comments on the draft please click here.

SANS 241ED7; Drinking Water

 

 

 

 

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Highlight Water Blogs

El Niño Update – June 2024

As of mid-June 2024, oceanic and atmospheric indicators in the central-eastern Pacific Ocean align with neutral El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) conditions, while diminishing El Niño conditions remain in the western Pacific. Predictions from various climate models suggest that the ENSO-neutral conditions will persist for the remainder of the Southern Hemisphere winter season. In addition, all climate model forecasts show potential La Niña conditions from the spring season. An important observation is that sea surface temperatures in the Southern Hemisphere have been cooling since December 2023. However, there remains great uncertainty regarding the onset, as well as the probability of La Nina conditions amongst the different models. For example, the NOAA CPC models show a 75% chance for La Niña conditions to persist during the August to October period, while the IRI shows 45% likelihood for La Nina conditions during this period (Figure 1). These differences are due to the relatively low skill of seasonal forecast models during this time of the year. Therefore, these probabilities should be used with caution.

Figure 1: ENSO Probabilities based on CPC and IRI models.

Due to the relatively good rainfall received in uMngeni-uThukela Water’s area of operation during the rainfall season, most UUW-operated dams have remained in relatively high storage levels during May and June 2024. For example, the storage trajectories of the Mgeni System are shown in Figure 2 below.

Figure 2: Historical storage trajectories for the Mgeni System.

Due to the high storage levels observed in most UUW-operated dams, the risk of non-supply remains relatively low for UUW’s customers in the short to medium-term. However, it is important for water users to implement demand-side water resources management strategies such as reusing water for non-potable purposes and fixing household leaks. uMngeni-uThukela Water will continue to monitor the ENSO signal and an update will be issued at the onset of the spring season.