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Inanda Dam Aquatic Weeds Status And Considerations For The Dusi Canoe Marathon 2022

Thursday, 17 February 2022

Purpose of this Document

The purpose of this document is to provide awareness on the current Inanda Dam aquatic weeds infestation challenge, the integrated management approach that is being adopted to control the weed infestation as well as the potential impacts of the infestation on the Dusi Canoe Marathon.

Background to the aquatic weeds challenge at Inanda Dam

uMngeni-uThukela Water Operates and manages the Inanda Dam on behalf of the Department of Water and Sanitation for the primary purpose of domestic Water Supply to EThekwini Metro Municipality, one of the economic hubs of KZN. Due to high nutrient inflow from Darvill wastewater works and the Pietermaritzburg town discharges from broken and blocked sewers, Inanda Dam has been facing a challenge of severe infestation by two of the most problematic aquatic weeds in KZN: water hyacinth (Pontederia crassipes) and
water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes). While water hyacinth is also present in other parts of the Mgeni Catchment, Inanda Dam has seen a significant and concerning increase in water hyacinth growth over the recent years (since late 2019, but particularly since mid-2020)

Download document to read more.

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STATEMENT: Water Monitoring and Releases Ahead of the Dusi Canoe Marathon

Issued by the Corporate Stakeholder Management Unit, uMngeni-uThukela Water

Wednesday, 16 February 2022

uMngeni-uThukela Water began water releases from Henley Dam at 08h00 on Wednesday as part of its efforts to assist the Dusi Canoe Marathon, which begins from Camps Drift, Pietermaritzburg, tomorrow. Releases from upstream Henley Dam (this dam has been decommissioned) have the effect of flushing the Msunduzi River system with better quality water, as well as providing the water needed for good paddling.

Henley Dam is currently at 105% and overflowing. This dam is not used for water treatment to potable water.

In least two weeks before the start of the Dusi Canoe Marathon, uMngeni-uThukela Water increased monitoring of water quality in the Msunduzi River. An additional 11 sampling sites were added to uMngeni-uThukela Water’s routine resting sites, in an endeavour to obtain more information which was shared with various stakeholders, including race organisers, with a view to early detection of problem areas and implementation of remedial or mitigation measures.

The most recent sampling were done on Sunday, 13^th February 2022, and Monday, 14^th February 2022. Sampling took place jointly with the Duzi-uMngeni-uThukela Conservation Trust and the results have since been shared with race organisers. As was expected that due to heavy rains of January 2022, some rain earlier this week and broken or blocked sewer problems in the Pietermaritzburg region, pollution load remains high. The analysis shows various degrees of E. coli presence. (E. coli is used as an overall indicator of faecal and related contamination).

The releases from Henley Dam will last 24 hours and are scheduled to end at 08h00 tomorrow (Thursday). Releases from Henley Dam will significantly improve river water quality.

With the inclusion of the 11 additional non-routine evaluation sites in the monitoring programme in the Msunduzi River catchment, this meant that assessment of water quality in the run-up to the Dusi Canoe Marathon had been intensified.

At this stage, Inanda Dam is at 102% and spilling. This has assisted significantly in increasing water resources in the river. A decision will be made tomorrow (Thursday) as to whether a release is required from Inanda Dam.

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]STATEMENT:  Reduced Supply of Potable Water from Midmar Water Works

Issued by the Corporate Stakeholder Management Unit, uMngeni-uThukela Water, Pietermaritzburg

Thursday, 3 February 2022

Two of the four pumps that convey water from Midmar Dam to the Midmar Water Works for treatment to potable have malfunctioned, resulting in deficit of raw water supply from this plant.

The deficit of raw water at this stage amounts to 40 megalitres (40 million litres per day), which means that there is a shortfall in supply of potable water to the similar amount to eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, uMgungundlovu District Municipality and Msunduzi Local Municipality. The consequence of this situation is that some of the reservoirs of uMgungundlovu DM and Msunduzi LM are receiving reduced amounts of water from Midmar Water Works, which may affect supply to some consumers, specifically in parts of Pietermaritzburg Town, Imbali, Vulindlela, Richmond, Howick and eThekwini through Point M in Umlaas Road.

Since discovery of failure of the two pumps, uMngeni-uThukela Water implemented a quick recovery plan. Work has already begun on repairing one of the pumps and when work is completed and the pump  becomes functional again by tonight, uMngeni-uThukela Water will be able draw the full 380 megalitres of raw water it needs in order to return potable water production to normal.

After full potable water production and supply are restored, it generally takes 24 hours for the reticulation system to fully recover.[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”Download Document” style=”classic” color=”primary” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.umngeni-uthukela.co.za%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2022%2F02%2FReduced-Supply-of-Potable-Water-from-Midmar-Water-Works.pdf”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]STATEMENT: Water Supply Interruptions in parts of Groutville: The Cause and Remedial Action Taken by uMngeni-uThukela Water

Issued by the Corporate Stakeholder Management Unit, Office of the Chief Executive, uMngeni-uThukela Water, Pietermaritzburg

Wednesday, 2^nd February 2022

For five days since Saturday, 29^th January 2022, at least seven areas in Groutville were unable to receive adequate water because of low pressure or interruptions in supply.

The affected areas were:

• Ward 9 Malende, Hangoes
• Ward 10, Aldenville
• Ward 29, Dube Village, Charlottedale
• Ward 26, Ntshaweni Memory
• Ward 11, Thembeni
• Ward 12, Thembeni
• Ward 14, Shombela

uMngeni-uThukela Water’s asset maintenance staff worked around the clock to diagnose the cause of the blockage. They have since cleaned an on online strainer and the reservoir has begun recovery.

By midday today (Wednesday), the reservoir reached 52%. It has to be at 60% for high-lying areas to begin receiving an adequate supply. It is expected that the reservoir will reach the requisite level by tonight.

uMngeni-uThukela Water wishes to apologise to consumers for inconvenience caused.

Issued by the Corporate Stakeholder Management Unit, Office of the Chief Executive, uMngeni-uThukela Water, Pietermaritzburg[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”Download Document” style=”classic” color=”primary” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.umngeni-uthukela.co.za%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2022%2F02%2FWater-Supply-Interruption-in-parts-of-Groutville.pdf”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]STATEMENT: Status of water resources in uMngeni-uThukela Water’s supply area as at Friday, 14th January 2022

Issued by the Corporate Stakeholder Management Unit, uMngeni-uThukela Water

Torrential rains over the past two weeks have had a significant positive impact on the 15 dams that are operated and managed by uMngeni-uThukela Water. On Friday, 14^th January 2022, 11 of them continued to overflow, illustrating the strong state of the region’s water resource availability.

For the first time in seven years, Albert Falls – the largest dam in KwaZulu-Natal – exceeded 80%, after gaining 15% in a week. On 8^th January 2022, Albert Falls Dam was at 68, 27%; on 14^th January 2022, it reached 83, 07%. A year ago, on 15^th January 2021, it was at 34, 66%.

Albert Falls, one of six dams in the Mgeni System, has been the recipient of good rains in its catchments and spills from upstream Midmar Dam. Albert Falls Dam provides the water needs of the Durban region through the Durban Heights Water Treatment Works. Water is released from Albert Falls Dam into Nagle Dam and gravity fed through four aqueducts from Nagle Dam to the Durban Heights Water Treatment Works for treatment and supply to eThekwini Water and Sanitation for reticulation to the north, south, central and inner west of Durban.

Month to date rainfall received in the catchments of Albert Falls Dam – from 1^st January 2022 to the present – amounted to 108 mm, which is about 40% of the monthly maximum. Good rains are predicted for uMngeni-uThukela Water’s supply area until the early autumn months of 2022.

Four of the other five dams in the Mgeni System – Mearns, Spring Grove, Midmar and Inanda – are at between 100, 58% and 119, 23% and spilling. The exception is Nagle Dam, which is at 93, 56%. Small volumes of water are being released from Albert Falls Dam, which will raise the level of Nagle Dam. Mearns, Midmar, Nagle and Inanda have been at similar levels from a year ago, on 15^th January 2021. Spring Gove Dam, however, has made significant gains from a week and a year ago. On 8^th January 2022, it was at 92%, against its current 100, 58%. A year ago it was at 67, 54%.

The Mgeni System is the largest system in uMngeni-uThukela Water’s operational area. It supplies the municipalities of uMgungundlovu, Msunduzi, eThekwini and parts of Ugu.

Rainfall received in the Mgeni System from 1^st January 2022 to the present:

• Means Dam (Mooi River): 137 mm, which is higher than the monthly average
• Spring Grove Dam: 104 mm, which is also higher than the monthly average
• Midmar Dam: 99 mm
• Nagle Dam: 37 mm
• Inanda Dam: 50 mm

The total collective raw water storage in the Mgeni System is currently at 96%, which means that the amount of water available for treatment and supply to municipalities is in a strong state and there is no risk of shortages occurring in the short-term to medium-term. It is estimated that there is sufficient water available to last another 15 months, well into the coming winter months and beyond. In the next rainfall cycle – September 2022 to February 2023 – water resource availability in storage dams are expected to improve further with rainfall received.[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”Download Document” style=”classic” color=”primary” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.umngeni-uthukela.co.za%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2022%2F01%2FStatus-of-water-resources-in-uMngeni-uThukela-Waters-supply-area-.pdf”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]STATEMENT: Water deficit at Durban Heights Water Works comes to end

Sunday, 19^th December 2021

Joint Statement by uMngeni-uThukela Water and eThekwini Water and Sanitation

Issued by the Corporate Stakeholder Management Unit, uMngeni-uThukela Water

This afternoon (Sunday, 19^th December 2021) full production of potable water was restored at Durban Heights Water Works following commissioning of Aqueduct 4, which transfers water from Nagle Dam to this plant for treatment and supply to eThekwini Water and Sanitation.

Restoration of full production will enable uMngeni-uThukela Water to provide additional potable water to eThekwini Water and Sanitation.

Recharging of Aqueduct 4 (slow and measured releases of water to prepare the infrastructure for normal functionality) began at 07h00 on Sunday after releases from Nagle Dam. By 14h00, the amount of water required to eradicate the day’s shortfall of 50 megalitres had reached Durban Heights Water Works for treatment and transfer to Reservoir 2. Transfer of water from Nagle Dam to Durban Heights Water Works will continue.

This shortfall in raw water had led to similar shortfall in supply of potable water to eThekwini Water and Sanitation, resulting in eThekwini Water and Sanitation’s inability to meet full supply to approximately 30 areas and reservoirs in south, north, central and inner west regions of Durban. The cause of reduced supply of raw water was failure of Shaft Pump 1 at Durban Heights Water Works on 11^th December 2021.

Work was undertaken concurrently on two projects to restore raw water supply to the required and pre-11^th November 2021 volumes. They are refurbishment of Shaft Pump 1 and repairs to Aqueduct 4, which was taken out of use after a leak was detected in the vicinity of Clermont in Durban. Shaft Pump 1 was refurbished and re-installed, with much of its work having to be done 200 metres underground. Work on Aqueduct 4 involved repair to its inner and external casing. Both projects were completed by the timeline determined by the contractors, which is 19^th December 2021.

On Sunday the final stages of commissioning of this shaft pump were being undertaken. When its commissioning is successfully completed, raw water resources from Inanda Dam will be further augmented. Staff of uMngeni-uThukela Water worked the entire weekend to oversee completion of the final phases of work on both projects. This included monitoring releases from Nagle Dam for Aqueduct 4.

In the next few days close observation of releases from Nagle Dam and conveyance through Aqueduct 4 will occur. A critical requirement is that the level of Reservoir 2 will have to remain consistently at 4 metres and above to ensure adequate head pressure that will make it possible to supply eThekwini Water and Sanitation’s reservoirs in outlying areas. On Sunday afternoon head pressure began building as a result of excellent co-operation from eThekwini Water and Sanitation, which continues to effectively manage its distribution systems.

Once it is pronounced that Reservoir 2 is able to maintain a level of 4 metres or more, adequate supply from Durban Heights Water Works would be sustainable. In the meantime, staff of uMngeni-uThukela Water and eThekwini Water and Sanitation will continue to collaborate in management and distribution of water resources.[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”Download Document” style=”classic” color=”primary” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.umngeni-uthukela.co.za%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F12%2FWater-deficit-at-Durban-Heights-Water-Works.pdf”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]STATEMENT: Progress to date on refurbishment of shaft pump at Durban Heights Water Works

Issued by the Corporate Stakeholder Management Unit, uMngeni-uThukela Water

Work is progressing well on refurbishment of Pump 1, which failed on the night of 11^th November 2021 precipitating water shortages in many parts of Durban.

Reports received by uMngeni-uThukela Water from the contractor appointed to undertake the work show that the programme for refurbishment and re-installation of this emergency shaft pump is in line with the schedule provided by the contractor. The shaft pump was removed and taken to Johannesburg where work is being conducted on it. The complex nature of this pump, which operates from approximately 200 metres below surface, requires five weeks to complete the work. According to schedule, the pump is due to be re-installed at the Durban Heights Water Works by 19^th December 2021, after which commissioning will begin.

This shaft pump conveys raw water from Inanda Dam to the Durban Heights Water Works. Water is being pumped from Inanda Dam because of adequacy. As a result of pump failure, there is ongoing deficit in raw water supply, resulting in reduced volumes of potable (drinking) water being supplied to eThekwini Water and Sanitation. Areas in the north, south, central and inner west of Durban are affected by intermittent water supply.

The affected areas are:

• Umlazi H, G, N, W, C, D, K, J, BB, CC, AA, M, L, R P, Q,
• Folweni
• Nsimbini
• Phoenix
• Sunningdale
• North of Durban
• Trenance 1 Reservoir
• Trenance 3
• Elevated Tower
• Mountview Reservoir
• Ntuzuma 3
• Ntuzuma 7

uMngeni-uThukela Water is using a system in which supply from some legs of Reservoir 2 at Durban Heights Water Works are discontinued for some parts of the day while others continue to supply water. This is done on a rotational basis and, supported by controlled supply from eThekwini Water and Sanitation, some equity is attained in water supply to consumers. This means that supply areas receive water for some parts of the day while others are closed off, and this system is then rotated.

As an operating rule, Reservoir 2 has to remain at three metres or above in order for there to be adequate pressure to supply high-lying areas. There have been occasions in which this reservoir had fallen to one metre, causing acute water shortages and low pressure. The consequence of that is some areas were not able to receive water.

An appeal is a made to consumers to support initiatives that have been implemented to conserve and use water sparingly. Consumers are also urged not store more water than they require for use in a day. Any spike in demand results in rapid depletion in reservoir levels; and this must be avoided.

uMngeni-uThukela Water apologises profusely for the inconvenience that consumers are experiencing and assures them everything possible is being done to return the situation to normal.

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]STATEMENT: Shaft Pump Failure at Durban Heights Water Works

Statement from the Board of uMngeni-uThukela Water on Actions Instituted and Progress to Date

Monday, 29^th November 2021

The Board of uMngeni-uThukela Water has initiated various actions, some in conjunction with eThekwini Water and Sanitation, that are aimed at accelerating processes to bring relief to consumers affected by water shortages caused by failure of Pump 1 at uMngeni-uThukela Water’s Durban Heights Water Works. This shaft pump conveys raw water to the Durban Heights Water Works; its failure has resulted in reduced volumes of raw water reaching the plant and decrease in potable water production.

The full Board of uMngeni-uThukela Water has taken leadership in uMngeni-uThukela Water’s efforts to minimise the impact of below-normal volumes of potable water that are being supplied to eThekwini Water and Sanitation from the Durban Heights Water Works since malfunction of the shaft pump on 11^th November 2021.

The Board of uMngeni-uThukela Water has already held a series of meetings to examine strategies that will strengthen the resolve of uMngeni-uThukela Water’s Operations Division to augment raw water resources to the plant and, at the same time, strategically manage outflows so that the customers of eThekwini Water and Sanitation are able to receive some water daily.

The most recent of these meetings was held on the night of Saturday, 27^th November 2021. It was resolved at this meeting that in order to provide additional capacity and support to the Operations Division and strengthen its functionality, the current Acting Chief Executive, Mr Sandile Bonga Dube, will return as Executive: Operations with immediate effect. Mr Dube was Executive: Operations at the time of his secondment as Acting Chief Executive.

At the Operations Division, Mr Dube will give added impetus, through his leadership skills, to initiatives aimed at ensuring that maintenance, repair and refurbishment of ancillary infrastructure at the Durban Heights Water Works are carried out without further delay. These actions, together with refurbishment of Pump 1, will restore Durban Heights Water Works to full operational capacity.

Mr Dube will be replaced by Mr Mboniseni Dlamini, who is Managing Director of uMngeni-uThukela Water subsidiary Msinsi Holdings SOC Ltd. Mr Dlamini has vast experience in the water sector, having previously worked at uMngeni-uThukela Water as General Manager: Operations before joining Magalies Water as Chief Executive. He joined Msinsi Holdings SOC Ltd in 2017. Mr Dlamini will serve as Acting Executive of uMngeni-uThukela Water until a permanent Chief Executive is appointed.

The Board also wishes to assure stakeholders that the process for filling vacant Executive positions at uMngeni-uThukela Water, that of Chief Executive, Chief Financial Officer as well as Company Secretary, is expected to be finalised early in the new year.

As a reflection of the intensity with which the Board regards the failure of Pump 1 and its consequences, three other meetings of the Board dealt with this matter. The meetings were held on Sunday, 21^st  November 2021, followed by a full Board meeting on Wednesday, 24^th November 2021. A visit to Durban Heights Water Works by members of the Capex Committee took place separately to inspect Reservoir 3 and the aftermath of the failure of Pump 1.

The Board continues to be briefed on a regular basis about progress towards refurbishment of Pump 1, which was dismantled and taken to the workshop of the contractor appointed to conduct the work. The Board is pleased that the contractor is on schedule to complete the work as per timelines given.

Issued on behalf of the Board of uMngeni-uThukela Water by the Corporate Stakeholder Management Unit., Office of the Chief Executive, uMngeni-uThukela Water[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”Download Document” style=”classic” color=”primary” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.umngeni-uthukela.co.za%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F11%2FStatements_30-November.pdf”][/vc_column][/vc_row]