Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu has voiced apprehension regarding the significant deficit in water supply to communities within the King Cetshwayo District Municipality and the mounting debt owed to the uMngeni-uThukela Water Board.
Mchunu expressed his concerns during a meeting with leaders from the King Cetshwayo District Municipality, including representatives from the Mfolozi and uMlalazi Local Municipalities, all situated within KwaZulu-Natal.
According to the 2022 Stats SA community survey, the King Cetshwayo District Municipality, home to 1,021,344 citizens, is among the municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal grappling with water and sanitation challenges.
Serving as a Water Services Authority (WSA) and Water Services Provider (WSP), the district faces a shortfall of 63 megalitres per day despite interventions by the department and the district itself.
To tackle this challenge, Mchunu announced plans to collaborate with the district to construct additional water resources infrastructure, including augmenting water treatment capacity and distribution infrastructure. Presently, water supply stands at over 36 megalitres per day.
The Minister stressed the importance of augmenting water supply schemes to address the persistent water shortage in the district, emphasizing the need to close the deficit and ensure adequate access to water for all residents.
Moreover, the King Cetshwayo District Municipality’s performance during the Blue Drop assessment witnessed a significant decline from 74.08% in 2014 to 41.06% in 2023, indicating pressing water quality concerns.
Mchunu also expressed dissatisfaction with the outstanding debts owed by the district to the uMngeni-uThukela Water Board, responsible for managing and operating bulk water infrastructure and ensuring water quality standards.
Highlighting the adverse impact of municipal debt on service delivery, Mchunu pledged support from the Department of Water and Sanitation to assist municipalities and water boards in resolving debt-related challenges.
The Minister underscored the necessity of cooperation among stakeholders to mitigate the debt issue, urging the district not to compromise on essential services and to enhance its capacity to provide clean and fresh water to all residents.
Executive Mayor Thamsanqa Ntuli of the King Cetshwayo District Municipality acknowledged the municipality’s efforts in improving access to water supply, particularly through investments in bulk water supply infrastructure.
Ntuli emphasized the critical nature of implementing water infrastructure projects to address water rationing and eliminate reliance on water tankers in communities facing water shortages.
In conclusion, Minister Mchunu called for continued cooperation between the district municipality and the Department of Water and Sanitation to deliver essential services effectively within the district, ensuring equitable access to clean and safe water for all residents.
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