Pretoria - The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has started upgrading the Thukela-Goedertrouw Transfer Scheme to prevent the Richards Bay area from running out of water.
The department on Monday said Richards Bay might have risked running out of water within the year if nothing was done.
“This medium-term solution will see the upgrade of the Thukela-Goedertrouw Transfer Scheme, through which water will be pumped from the Thukela River to the Goedertrouw Dam.
“The DWS approved the funding budget of R410 million for 12 months’ duration of the project, which commenced in June 2016. This will effect the stabilisation of water supply to Richards Bay and surrounding areas once completed,” said the department in a statement.
The Goedertrouw Dam is Zululand’s major water resource and has currently reached a record low level of 25%.
The department said the upgrade will drastically increase the feeder pipeline from the Tugela River. – SAnews.gov.za
