Mkhuze water treatment plant upgrade to drive growth

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Mkhuze WTW currently serves the town of Mkhuze and the surrounding area as well as the uBombo hospital. The plant upgrade is earmarked to unlock growth and development within the town of Mkuze and pave the way for further economic and social development activity. “This project is considered to be a flagship project in the area and we believe it will be the cornerstone in ushering the expansion of indispensable housing, and the proposed shopping centre to service the community,” said GIBB technical executive Nokuphumula Mkhwanazi.

Filters currently non-operational

The Mkuze Water Treatment Works facility sources its water from the Pongola Dam which is then pumped into the Charl Senegal Dam. The water is then pumped through a 160mm pipe to the plant where it is treated to become consumable water. “At present the plant’s filters are non-operational culminating in it not being compliant to the blue drop certification as well as the final treated water not meeting the SANS 241 standards as published in 2015,” noted GIBB project manager responsible for the project Selby Mkhize.

“The upgrade of the treatment works is key to ensuring an end to water shortages in the town, and will also ensure the provision of the basic human requirement at all times, and this will also boost commercial activities in the town of Mkhuze,” noted Mkhize.

In its current state, the water treatment works plant has the capacity to supply water to an average of 974 households, however owing to a growing municipality, there are approximately 2,800 households which have been proposed in the next 10 years which will require water supply.

Local contractors engaged

Upgrading work on the plant includes the construction of new a carifier, new sand filters, and a 1Ml reservoir, said GIBB project technical engineer Rorisang Lekonyana. He further noted that the upgrade will also include a precise measuring of the flow of water to the facility using meters at the inlets and outlets to determine loss of water during the treatment process. GIBB will install a new chlorination system to disinfect the water before it is supplied to the villagers.

GIBB has engaged with local contractors to complete sections of construction work on the upgrade project under the main contractor SBT Civils, subsequently empowering local community members. Local labourers have been employed by the contractor and trained in various specialised practises such as steel-fixing.

Construction work for the upgrade project is expected to be completed by December 2016 with the plant being commissioned.