Ekuvukeni Water Supply Project brings clean water to 14,500 households in uThukela District

About 14,500 households in the Uthukela District will now benefit from direct access to water supplies in their homes, following the official handover of the Ekuvukeni Water Supply Project over the weekend.

This comes after the affected residents had become accustomed to erratic spells of water supply that extended for more than a decade. The announcement was made by Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa, marking a significant milestone in efforts to address long-standing water infrastructure challenges in the Alfred Duma Local Municipality.

The handover ceremony drew local government officials, community members, and residents from wards 30 to 36. District Mayor Inkosi Shabalala expressed his appreciation for the project’s completion, highlighting its potential to deliver reliable and clean water to the communities of Ekuvukeni and surrounding areas. Mayor Shabalala detailed the long-running pressing need for a better water supply, which has been a key priority since he came into office.

“It prompted us to approach the State President and relevant ministers for intervention. We are now pleased to see significant progress in resolving these issues,” he told the Daily News. The Ekuvukeni project, implemented by the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA) with funding from the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG), included critical upgrades to the local water supply system.

With the community's population expanding, the previous water infrastructure was unable to meet demand, particularly with problems at the Oliphantskop Dam. “The dam was designed only for Ekuvukeni’s initial population size, but the community has since grown significantly, necessitating increased capacity,” Shabalala explained.

Regarding the inadequate sewer lines that continue to plague the district, Shabalala stated that the municipality is developing comprehensive plans to rectify these issues.

He urged residents to safeguard the newly established infrastructure, emphasising that its continued functionality depends on community stewardship. Minister Hlabisa echoed Shabalala's sentiments during the handover ceremony.

He acknowledged ongoing water challenges in certain areas but celebrated the project's completion, which has enabled many women, in particular, to avoid the arduous task of fetching water from distant sources.

“We congratulate you on this milestone and encourage you to take care of this infrastructure for your own benefit,” he said. As a direct result of the project, Shabalala revealed that it has not only improved access to vital water resources but has also fostered socio-economic benefits. More than 32 local labourers, including youth and women, received training and employment in construction and technical skills through the initiative, while local subcontractors benefited from contracts worth over R6.1 million.

DAILY NEWS