The EThekwini Municipality has appointed a contractor to commence with the upgrade of the Ogunjini Water Treatment Works, which will help to improve water supply in areas in the north of Durban.

Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu, together with eThekwini Municipality, introduced the contractor, who will commence with the R56 million upgrade, to the community during an event held at Osindisweni Sports Ground on Sunday.

Speaking at the event, Mchunu said the completion of the upgrades will improve water supply to Osindisweni, which is currently experiencing water supply shortages.

The water supply shortages affecting the area are due the water treatment work’s inability to sufficiently manage the growing demand from the community in the area.

Ogunjini Water Works was built to primarily supply water to Osindisweni Hospital. However, over time, there has been a significant number of homes reliant on the pump station.

‘Once this project is complete, the treatment works will have a design capacity of t
hree megalitres (ML) per day. Currently, it has a design capacity of 0.9 ML per day,’ Mchunu said.

Mchunu said the project is part of the city’s efforts to ensure reliable water supply, particularly in rural areas.

‘We are pleased that the municipality continues to invest in water infrastructure and a number of projects are currently underway including the upgrade of the Southern Aqueduct which will improve water supply in the southern areas.

‘We have also increased the capacity of Hazelmere Dam, which will alleviate water challenges in areas such as Verulam and oThongathi up to Stanger,’ Mchunu said.

eThekwini Infrastructure and Human Settlements Committee Deputy Chairperson, Bheki Mngwengwe, assured the community that the contractor, who will be on site from today, will be closely monitored to ensure that work is of quality and completed within 10 months.

Source: South African Government News Agency