Emergency 8-hour shutdown of the Lower Thukela Bulk Potable Water Pipeline

Tuesday, 29 August 2023

An emergency shutdown of the Lower Thukela Bulk Potable Water Pipeline began at 10h00 on Tuesday, 29 August 2023, following the discovery of a new leak on the pipeline. Work on repairing the leak is scheduled to be completed by 18h00 on the same day. After repairs are completed, the pipeline will be recommissioned, enabling it to receive water and convey water again.

The pipeline will have to be drained before work begins; this, on its own, requires several hours. The pipe conveys drinking water from the Lower Thukela Bulk Potable Water Supply Scheme in Mandini to supply iLembe District Municipality for reticulation within a vast area in KwaDukuza.

The following areas will be affected by no water supply or erratic water supply during the eight (8)-hour shutdown:

  Zinkwazi San Sounci Darnall
  Lindelani Glenhills Sakhamkhanya
  Shekembula Ohlanga Wattenton
  Stanger Manor Mdlebeni Shakaville
  Zamani Gledhow North Thembeni
  KwaDukuza Central Business District Nyoniyamanzi Lot 16 Grouville Mission
  Dube Village Hangoes

 

uMngeni-uThukela Water wishes to thank the iLembe District Municipality for its co-operation and understanding. uMngeni-uThukela Water also wishes to apologise to consumers for any inconvenience that may be caused during the shutdown.

An assurance is given that every effort will be made to try to complete the work before the allocated eight (8) hours.

Issued by the Corporate Stakeholder Management Unit, Office of the Chief Executive

uMngeni-uThukela urges beachgoers and fishermen to refrain from using Alkaanstrand Beach in Richards Bay due to wastewater spillage

Friday, 25 August 2023

uMngeni-uThukela Water would like to caution beachgoers and fishermen against using the Alkaanstrand Beach due to a damaged pipeline which has led to some wastewater spilling into the sea.

The damaged pipeline safely expels treated industrial water into the depths of sea in an environmentally sensitive manner.

While we have already dispatched a crew of technical experts on site to determine the cause of the leak and commence with fixing it, as a precautionary measure, we urge the public to avoid using the Alkaanstrand Beach for recreational activities such as fishing and swimming.

The incident has also been brought to the attention of the relevant authorities and we are working closely with the Department of Environmental Affairs, Forestries and Fisheries,

UMngeni-UThukela has begun a process of sampling water from the Alkaanstrand Beach. The provision of a safe and reliable service to all our customers and the public remains our top priority.

We endeavour to keep the public and all our stakeholders updated on repair work on the damaged pipeline.

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

Call for nominations for members to serve on the board of uMngeni-uThukela Water

The Minister of Water & Sanitation is the Execuive Authority and Shareholder of uMngeni-uThukela Water and is responsible for the appointment of Board Members of Water Boards. uMngeni-uThukela Water has emanated from the reconfiguration of uMngeni-uThukela Water and Mhlathuze Water by extending the boundary of uMngeni-uThukela Water to include Mhlathuze Water to form a single Water Board in the KwaZulu-Natal Province.

OVERALL RESPONSIBILITY

  • To provide an oversight role as a non-executive member of the uMngeni-uThukela Water Board.
  • To support the Executive Management to deliver value-added services and business confidence in discharging their roles and responsibilities commensurate to a leading bulk water services utility in South Africa.

PRIMARY DUTIES

  • Provide oversight on the governance and statutory requirements of uMngeni-uThukela Water as a State-Owned Entity and ensure overall compliance with the applicable legislative and regulatory framework,
  • Exercise oversight on the implementation of the uMngeni-uThukela Water strategy, business model and the overall policies as applicable to the business operations,
  • Contribute relevant technical and independent governance knowledge to assist the Board to effectively discharge its mandate and to exercise its fiduciary responsibilities,
  • Promote accountability principles to ensure that the uMngeni-uThukela Water Executive Management achieves the organisation’s vision and financial sustainability,
  • Exercise independent oversight on the management of strategic risks within the organisation and review the implementation of the required risk mitigation strategies by Executive Management,
  • Ensure the submission of the required statutory reports to the Shareholder and other statutory bodies in line with the stipulated timeframes and statutory compliance requirements,
  • Attend Board and Committee meetings in accordance with the approved Annual Corporate calendar and the approved annual Committee work plan,
  • Contribute towards and positively impact strategic level discussions during Board and/or Committee meetings.

Role Requirements:
In-depth understanding of the following:

  • Water sector, private and public sector governance | Statutory compliance requirements for SOEs, the Water Services Act, PFMA, Treasury Regulations and other legislation applicable to SOEs | Applicable accounting standards and compliance requirements applicable to SOEs | Treasury Management | Interpretation of financial statements | Strategy formulation and oversight | Policy Review and Formulation | Human Capital management and legislation and policies applicable to employees of SOEs | Risk and Compliance Management | Stakeholder Relations Management | IT Governance.

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND EXPERTISE

  • Appropriate Recognized Tertiary Qualification at NQF Level 8 or equivalent relevant experience,
  • Experience in one or more of the following areas:
    • Engineering and science with demonstrable experience, expertise and specialisation in water services management, water resource management, water project management, environmental management, construction management,
    • Commercial law, corporate governance, compliance and risk management, financial management, human resources management, supply chain management stakeholder relations management and information and communications technology (ICT) management.
  • Appropriate knowledge, understanding and experience in exercising fiduciary duties in accordance with the provisions of the PFMA and WSA, King IV Code on Good Corporate Governance in South Africa (King IV), the Companies Act and other applicable relevant legislation,
  • Seasoned business/professional expertise with extensive experience and requisite skills set in serving on a Board and/or Board Structures of a private and/or public sector entity.
  • At least three (3) years’ experience as a non-executive director in a governance centred organisation, preferably in the Water Sector or related Sector.
  • Proven experience as a Senior Manager or Executive and experience interacting at Board/Committee level.
  • Personal attributes of objectivity, integrity, good reputation, commitment and should be a South African citizen.

Added Advantage:
A Chartered Director (SA)® or Certified Director® or membership of a relevant professional body to demonstrate sound knowledge underpinned by the Director Competency Framework in line with the IoDSA or other professional body, as well as demonstrated depth and breadth of knowledge, skills, and experience. SKILLS AND PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
In depth knowledge of corporate governance principles | Mandatory legislative and regulatory framework governing Water Utilities and SOEs | Appreciation of broad economic, commercial and financial trends | Strategic / high-level decision making and strategic oversight | An analytical mind and problem solving skills | Political astuteness and awareness | Relationship building and conflict management | Attention to detail | Communication skills | Integrity and sound judgment | Objectivity | Emotional intelligence. GROUNDS FOR DISQUALIFICATION:
A potential nominee will not be considered to hold office as a member of the Board if he/she is inter alia, is an unrehabilitated insolvent, has been previously convicted of any offence involving dishonesty, fraud and/or sentenced to imprisonment without an option of a fine and/or is disqualified in law to hold the office of director. OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Upon appointment, the Minister reserves the right to conduct probity checks (criminal and civil records; reference checks; verification of qualifications and experience; credit record and integrity test). The nominee’s signed acceptance. No person may nominate or second more than one candidate. STIPENDS
The appointed Board Members shall receive a stipend as determined and approved by the Minister of Water and Sanitation from time to time. The stipend is paid in respect of authorised expenses incurred in and during attendance of official duties as a non-executive director of uMngeni-uThukela Water. APPLICATION/NOMINATION PROCESS:
Individual members of the public are invited to apply and/or submit nominations of suitably qualified and experienced persons to be considered for appointment as members of the Board of uMngeni-uThukela Water. Every nomination of a person for appointment to the Board must be signed by a proposer and seconded, none of whom may be the nominee, and must also contain the nominee’s signed acceptance. No person may nominate or second more than one candidate.

  1. The CV of the person applying/nominated,
  2. A copy of the Identification Document (ID) of the person applying/nominated; and
  3. A letter of motivation of no more than two (2) pages in length indicating the suitability of the nominated person/applicant for appointment as a non-executive member of the uMngeni-uThukela Water Board.

Applications/Nominations should be sent electronically to: boardnomination2023@umngeni-uthukela.co.za and marked for the attention of: Acting Chief Executive: uMngeni-uThukela Water – Dr Sipho Manana: Head Office: P O Box 9, Pietermaritzburg, 3200 or hand deliver to 310 Burger Street Pietermaritzburg 3201

 

 

Statement: Closure of the road to iMvutshane Dam – Tuesday, 13 June 2023

Monday, 12 June 2023

Kindly note the road that leads to the iMvutshane Dam in Maphumulo will be closed to the public and motorists in two phases tomorrow (13 June 2023) in order for a heavy-duty vehicle to take a large generator to the dam for installation as back-up power supply.

The first road closure will be between 10h00 and 12h00 and the second in the afternoon at a time that will be determined by when the generator is left at the installation site. During both closures, no pedestrians and motorists will be allowed to use the road. The road will be reopened immediately after the first two-hour closure and after the afternoon one-hour closure. uMngeni-uThukela Water appeals to members of the public and motorists to please co-operate.

The installation of the generator at the iMvutshane Dam is imperative to ensure continuous raw water supply from the dam for treatment at the Maphumulo Water Treatment Plant, even during periods of load shedding or unplanned power supply failures. 

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

Post Graduate Bursaries – Masters and PhD degrees

uMngeni-uThukela Water invites applications for bursaries from applicants who have a four year degree in Science, Engineering and Computer Science who would like to pursue Masters and PhD degrees. uMngeni-uThukela Water will be funding these degrees which will be focused on research in the following SIR-related fields:

  • 21st-century water infrastructure systems and management
  • Advanced materials
  • Advanced sensor platforms
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Big Data Analytics
  • Blockchain
  • Data Science
  • Drones and autonomous vehicles
  • Internet of Things (loT)
  • New computing technologies
  • Real-time, interoperable water data
  • Remote Sensing (Satellite Imagery)

Interested candidates should forward their applications with full contact details in the following email address: gugu.myeza@umngeni-uthukela.co.za

Megan Van Schalkwyk has been appointed by The Minister of The Department of Water and Sanitation to serve on the WRC Board

Megan Van SchalkwykuMngeni-uThukela Water is proud to announce that Megan Schalkwyk, from the Scientific Services Division, has been appointed by the Minister to take up office as a Board Member of the WRC starting from 1st May 2023.

The Water Research Commission (WRC) is a well-established knowledge enabler in the water sector, overseen by the Department of Water and Sanitation.

When asked about her appointment this is what she had to say “I look forward to serving the Water Sector in this role. Research as well as its uptake will ensure water security in future.  This organisation plays a pivotal role in enabling the Water Sector to overcome its challenges both locally and internationally. I am excited and humbled to be appointed.” Says Mrs Schalkwyk.

The WRC’s mandate is to:

  • Promote the coordination of
  • Establish the priority of,
  • Stimulate funding for,
  • Promote the transfer of and
  • Enhance sector capacity through Water research.

Congratulations Megan on your appointment!

Water Resources Currently Available Are Adequate to Treat and Meet Municipalities’ Full Demands For Drinking Water

Friday, 26 May 2023

An anonymous WhatsApp message, forwarded multiple times, is causing unwarranted concern about the availability of water in the next few days due what it says is reducing levels of dams. Although the message does not specify which dams are drying up and why and which areas could face water shortages this weekend, uMngeni-uThukela Water continues to receive inquiries from members of the public and the media about the status of water resources and whether there is any substance to the contents of the WhatsApp message.

uMngeni-uThukela Water wishes to provide an assurance that the dams that it manages and operates in a vast area of KwaZulu-Natal have adequate water resources to meet the full drinking water (potable water) needs of its municipal customers during the coming generally dry season – the winter months – and well into 2024.

The levels of dams as at Friday, 26 May 2023, are:

 Dam Level System Municipal Customer Supplied
(Water Services Authority)
Spring Grove 94% Mgeni uMgungundlovu District
Municipality
Msunduzi Local Municipality
eThekwini Metro
Means 105% Mgeni uMgungundlovu District
Municipality
Msunduzi Local Municipality
eThekwini Metro
Midmar 97% Mgeni uMgungundlovu District
Municipality
Msunduzi Local Municipality
eThekwini Metro
Albert Falls 100% Lower Mgeni eThekwini Metro
Nagle 100% Lower Mgeni eThekwini Metro
Inanda 101% Lower Mgeni eThekwini Metro
Umzinto 100% South Coast Ugu District Municipality
EJ Smith 100% South Coast Ugu District Municipality
Nungwane 101% South Coast Ugu District Municipality
Mhlabatshane 100% South Coast Ugu District Municipality
Ludeke 62% Mbizana (Eastern Cape) Alfred Nzo District Municipality
Hazelmere 59% Hazelmere
(North of Durban and parts of iLembe)
eThekwini Metro
iLembe District Municipality
Siza Water
iMvutshane 66% Maphumulo iLembe District Municipality
Home Farm 101% Ixopo Harry Gwala District Municipality

 

In the uThukela District, north-west of KwaZulu-Natal, the levels of four dams there are:

  • Woodstock: 99%
  • Spioenkop: 100%
  • Wagendrift: 101%
  • Olifantskop: 102%

These dams supply the uThukela District Municipality.

The Goedertrouw Dam, outside Eshowe in King Cetshwayo District, is at 100%

Water stored in all of these dams are abstracted and treated at nearby water treatment plants and supplied as drinking water to municipalities for distribution to consumers.

As at Friday, 26 May 2023, the collective amount of water in the Mgeni System – the largest system in KwaZulu-Natal – is at 96%. This means there is sufficient water to meet the full demands of the three municipalities that receive water from it. The collective amount of water in the South Coast System, as at 26 May 2023, is at 100%, which also indicates that there is adequate water resources available. All the other systems – Hazelmere, Maphumulo, Ixopo and uThukela – are also in a healthy state.

Consumers are, therefore, urged to disregard the WhatsApp message as it does not correlate with the factual position with regards to available water resources.

Drinking Water Produced at uMngeni-uThukela Water is SANS 241 Complaint and Safe to Drink

In the wake of the cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal, City of Tshwane in Gauteng, uMngeni-uThukela Water has been repeatedly asked by Ward Councillors and other members of the public: How safe is the drinking water produced at uMngeni-uThukela Water’s treatment plants and supplied to municipalities?

uMngeni-uThukela Water provides an assurance that the drinking) water it supplies to its customers conforms to drinking water quality standards as stipulated in South African National Standards (SANS) 241 for drinking water quality. Advanced water treatment technologies and chemicals are used at uMngeni-uThukela Water’s water treatment plants to treat raw water abstracted from rivers and dams so that safe drinking water is produced for the protection of public health. Chlorine and chlorine-based compounds are used as disinfectants to efficiently and effectively destroy microorganisms during the water treatment process.

The potable water that is supplied by uMngeni-uThukela Water’s bulk water works to its customers is fully compliant with the requirements of SANS 241 and is fit for a lifetime of consumption. In the presence of a disinfectant residual, water supplied by uMngeni-uThukela Water is safe to drink without boiling or further disinfection. The treatment process is rigorous in ensuring only water that is safe for public consumption is distributed.

uMngeni-uThukela Water supplies drinking water in bulk to eThekwini Metro, Msunduzi Local Municipality, uMgungundlovu District Municipality, iLembe District Municipality, Ugu District Municipality, Harry Gwala District Municipality, King Cetshwayo District Municipality and Siza Water.

In addition to daily monitoring of drinking water at the water treatment plants, supplementary monitoring is also undertaken, using a precautionary approach, to evaluate and respond appropriately to any areas where possible additional risk may be identified.

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

Pleanary Workshop for Woody IAP MAPPING in the uMngeni Catchment

Plenary Workshop for Woody IAP MAPPING in the uMngeni Catchment

Logo

Plenary Workshop for Woody IAP MAPPING in the uMngeni Catchment

The Institute of Natural Resources (INR) has been appointed through a collaboration between uMngeni-uThukela Water and the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) to map woody invasive alien plants in the uMngeni catchment using a low-tech, semi quantitative methodology. The product will be a map of woody IAPs in the catchment that will be useful for planning and implementation of purposes. For this product to be really useful and user friendly, it needs to be stakeholder-driven. We therefore invite you to participate in a workshop where we will be introducing the project, and identifying key stakeholders in the catchment.

The details of the Plenary Workshop are as follows:

  • Date: 23 May 2023
  • Time: 09h00
  • In-person: INR Offices, Pietermaritzburg (limited to 20 attendees)
  • Virtual: MS Teams
  • RSVP by 12 May 2023
Download Invitation
RSVP