THE iLembe district municipality on KwaZulu-Natal's North Coast has embarked on a R30million project to provide an improved supply of running water.
The project will benefit about 800000 people living in the KwaDukuza area. It will also initially provide 11000 job opportunities.
The project is expected to be completed by August.
An additional R70million project - to benefit those living in the Stanger Manor and Sundumbili areas - will be rolled out over the next eight months.
The KwaDukaza area has been affected by leaking pipes, and in December its residents experienced severe water interruptions lasting several weeks.
The project, implemented by the Department of Water Affairs, which contributed R1million towards the cost has been primarily funded by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.
Municipality manager Mike Newton said there was a five-year plan to reduce leaks throughout the district. He said they intended to reduce leakages from 48,6percent to 25percent,by 2015 in line with the target set by the eThekwini municipality.
"By reducing leaks through constant repairs and dropping pressure, impressive savings can be made," Newton said.
He said discussions were also being held with Eskom because a drop in the volume of water used would result in energy costs dropping.
Newton said the project, apart from involving Eskom, also represented a large-scale partnership with various spheres of government.
"We need to explore more partnerships like these in the future."
R30m plan to boost water supply
THE iLembe district municipality on KwaZulu-Natal's North Coast has embarked on a R30million project to provide an improved supply of running water.
The project will benefit about 800000 people living in the KwaDukuza area. It will also initially provide 11000 job opportunities.
The project is expected to be completed by August.
An additional R70million project - to benefit those living in the Stanger Manor and Sundumbili areas - will be rolled out over the next eight months.
The KwaDukaza area has been affected by leaking pipes, and in December its residents experienced severe water interruptions lasting several weeks.
The project, implemented by the Department of Water Affairs, which contributed R1million towards the cost has been primarily funded by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.
Municipality manager Mike Newton said there was a five-year plan to reduce leaks throughout the district. He said they intended to reduce leakages from 48,6percent to 25percent,by 2015 in line with the target set by the eThekwini municipality.
"By reducing leaks through constant repairs and dropping pressure, impressive savings can be made," Newton said.
He said discussions were also being held with Eskom because a drop in the volume of water used would result in energy costs dropping.
Newton said the project, apart from involving Eskom, also represented a large-scale partnership with various spheres of government.
"We need to explore more partnerships like these in the future."
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