Name of the Project
Lower uMkhomazi water project.

Location
eThekwini metropolitan municipality (Ward 99) and uMdoni local municipality (Ward 18), eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Project Owner/s
The Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA) will implement the raw water component of the project and uMngeni-uThukela Water will implement the bulk water treatment component for distribution to the identified six water services authorities, including eThekwini, Msunduzi, uMgungundlovu, Ugu, Ilembe and Harry Gwala.

Project Description
The project includes the construction of a new dam and a 32 km raw-water conveyance tunnel and 5 km pipeline to uMlaza river. There will also be a balancing dam and water treatment works in the uMlaza river, with a gravity pipeline to the Umgeni water supply system that supplies water to more than five-million people and industries in the province.

The project is divided into two phases, with the first phase comprising a raw water component consisting of two independent systems – the Ngwadini system, with off-channel storage, and the Goodenough system, with abstraction works and a raw water storage reservoir.

Phase 2 entails a potable water component comprising a 100-million-litre-a-day water treatment works; a 3.5 km gravity main pipeline to Quarry reservoir; extending the capacity of Quarry reservoir to 30-million litres a day; and the construction of a Green Star-certified administration building.

Upon completion, the uMngeni water supply system will increase its yearly freshwater capacity from 394-million to 608-million cubic meters, securing sustainable water resources for more than five-million people.

Potential Job Creation
The project has helped to create temporary employment opportunities for more than 380 locals and more than 100 small, medium-sized and microenterprises have participated in the project to date, Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina noted in November 2024.

Capital Expenditure
R20-billion.

Planned Start/End Date
The project is expected to be completed in December 2027.

Latest Developments
Significant progress is being made on the Lower uMkhomazi water scheme project.

The project, previously hindered by delays, has gained renewed momentum as a result of proactive involvement and determination by the Department of Water and Sanitation, Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina said during a site inspection.

Majodina and Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister Sello Seitlholo, along with uMngeni-uThukela Water board members, conducted an on-site progress review of the bulk water project on November 7.

Inspecting the Goodenough abstraction site, which has achieved over 60% completion, Majodina endorsed the progress made so far in implementing the project.

The parties also conducted an oversight inspection of a construction site of the Ngwadini off-channel storage dam, which is expected to be completed by December 2027.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
None stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
uMngeni-uThukela Water, tel +27 33 341 1111 or email info@umgeni.co.za.
TCTA, tel +27 12 683 12 31 or email info@tcta.co.za.