MHLATHUZE water has, for over four decades now, been at the forefront of rendering bulk water and waste water services to entire communities and industries in the northern reaches of KwaZulu-Natal.
The overwhelming impact of Mhlathuze Water’s presence in the geography it services is evident for all to see and has resulted in socio-economic development, job creation and improved livelihoods.
In all that we do, we have always remained true to our mission of contributing to development by providing quality regional water and responsible waste water disposal services.
The task of ensuring adequate water supply is not always an easy one, and as we have seen of late, the vagaries of climate change, decreased rainfall and the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic have presented a own unique set of challenges.
However, even as these external factors exist, with the potential to significantly impact on our mandate, we can never allow despondency to set in.
We have recalibrated our operations in order to ensure that we retain our unique position as the last port of call for bulk water in our area of supply, thereby assisting our government in its efforts to alleviate the ill effects of a scarcity of water upon rural communities, particularly with the advent of Covid-19.
Working with all our stakeholders in the value chain, we have now bridged those gaps that had previously served as an impediment to discharging our mandate as defined in the Water Services Act.
Looking ahead, we will continue to attract and retain adequately qualified and skilled professionals who will help us to take our grand aspirations forward.
With 40 years of experience behind us, including as implementing agents on water projects on behalf of various levels of government, we stand ready and willing to play a complementary role in the overlapping mandates between water boards and water services authorities (WSAs – municipalities) to ensure the reliable availability of water as a trigger for sustainable socio-economic.
Mindful of the critical role infrastructure development plays in the development and growth of the country, we have successfully completed the development of the Bulk Water and Sanitation Master Plan, which provides an integrated overview of all actions, initiatives and projects that we must undertake in order to effectively meet current and future bulk water and sanitation demands for our customers.
The Bulk Water and Sanitation Infrastructure Master Plan also makes provision for reserves in order to accommodate future demand, resulting from growth and development within Richards Bay, an area that serves as one of two special economic zones in KwaZulu-Natal.
The importance of striking a balance between the water needs and those of the communities we serve cannot be overstated.
For this reason, and in accordance with the injunctions of both the Constitution and the Sustainable Development Goals of ensuring the provision and availability of water for all.
In this regard, Mhlathuze Water has signed a tripartite agreement with the uMkhanyakude District Municipality and the Department of Water and Sanitation to implement the Jozini Bulk Water Supply Project in that northern District of KwaZulu-Natal.
This includes the successful commissioning of a 40Ml/day Water Treatment Plant with associated bulk infrastructure – a project which aims to deliver potable water to an area of KwaZulu-Natal that was previously relied on a limited streams and boreholes.
About Mhlathuze Water|
Mhlathuze Water (MW) is a state-owned entity based in Richards Bay and operating in the province of KwaZulu-Natal.
However, due to our geographic location in Richards Bay, we predominantly operate in the uMkhanyakude, King Cetshwayo and Zululand District Municipalities.
Richards Bay is supplied by three dominant water sources, namely: Mhlathuze River, Lake Mzingazi and Lake Nsezi.
Our business activities include a raw (untreated), clarified (partially treated) and purified water supply; disposal of industrial and domestic waste water; and scientific services.
We provide these bulk water services in a sustainable and cost effective manner and major clients include: Foskor, Richards Bay Minerals, the City of uMhlathuze and Mondi.
- This article was sponsored by Mhlathuze Water.