Name and Location
Lower Tugela bulk water supply scheme, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Client
Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) and Umgeni Water.

Project Description
The project aims to initially supply 20-million cubic metres of water a year to the Ilembe district municipality areas, from Mandeni to Ballito, and all major settlements in between, which include KwaDukuza and Groutville. This figure is expected to double when the second
55 M ℓ/d purification plant is built.

Work on the Tugela river to prevent sand from being abstracted with water at the abstraction works on the south side of the 171-m-long weir across the river is ongoing. The weir has been fitted with sediments traps for this purpose. The water will be pumped to 55-million-litre-a-day water treatment works on the north bank, where it will be purified before being pumped up to the 30-million-litre command reservoir.

As the command reservoir is at the highest point between the Tugela river and Ballito, water will flow to distribution areas through a 29-km-long gravity main as opposed to electrical water pumps.

Value
R1.4-billion.

Duration
The project is expected to start reticulating water to KwaDukuza and Ballito by mid-2016.

Latest Developments
None stated.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
None stated.

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
DWS director – media liaison, Sputnik Ratau, cell 082 874 2942.