Planning Services - Umgeni Water- · PDF filedeveloped to address the future water demand requirements ... 3.2.5 Ugu District Municipality ... (Stats SA 2013). ..... 18

For further information, please contact:

Planning Services

Engineering & Scientific Services Division

Umgeni Water

P.O. Box 9, Pietermaritzburg, 3200

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Tel: 033 341-1522

Fax: 033 341-1218

Email: [email protected]

Web: www.umgeni.co.za

UMGENI WATER

INFRASTRUCTURE MASTER PLAN 2015

2 015 /20 16 – 20 45 /2 04 6

M A R C H 20 15

Compiled by:

Graham Metcalf

Geohydrologist

Approved by:

Kevin Meier PrEng

Manager: Planning Services

Steve Gillham PrEng

General Manager: Engineering and Scientific Services

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PREFACE This Infrastructure Master Plan 2015 describes Umgeni Water’s infrastructure plans for the financial period 2015/2016 – 2045/2046. It is a comprehensive technical report that provides detailed information on the organisation’s current infrastructure and on its future infrastructure development plans. This report replaces the last comprehensive Infrastructure Master Plan that was compiled in 2014. The report is divided into two volumes:

Volume 1 describes the most recent changes and trends within the primary environmental dictates that influence Umgeni Water’s infrastructure development plans (Section 2). Section 3 provides a review of historic water sales against past projections, as well as Umgeni Water’s most recent water demand projections, compiled at the end of 2014. The current water resource situation, for both surface and groundwater, for the catchments that are important to Umgeni Water’s operational requirements, is described in Section 4. Climatic impacts on these water resources and the potential future impacts of climate change are presented. Future water resource development plans for these catchments, as well as alternatives to the traditional resources, are discussed. Linkages are made to the water supply infrastructure development plans that are discussed in Volume 2.

Volume 2 documents the current water supply infrastructure that Umgeni Water utilises for operational purposes and describes the most recent infrastructure plans that have been developed to address the future water demand requirements (Section 5). These plans are aligned to the latest water demand projections and proposed water resources infrastructure developments as presented in Volume I. Section 6 describes the wastewater works currently operated by Umgeni Water, and Section 7 provides individual project sheets for those infrastructure projects discussed in Section 5. All references made throughout the entire Infrastructure Master Plan are listed at the end of each volume.

It is important to note that information presented in this report is in a summarised form and it is recommended that the reader refer to the relevant planning reports if more detail is sought. Since the primary focus of this Infrastructure Master Plan is on Umgeni Water’s existing bulk infrastructure supply network, the water resource infrastructure development plans are not discussed at length. The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), as the responsible authority, has undertaken the regional water resource development investigations within Umgeni Water’s area of operation. All of these investigations have been conducted in close collaboration with Umgeni Water and other major stakeholders in order to ensure that integrated planning occurs. Details on these projects can be obtained directly from DWS, Directorate: Options Analysis (East). Cognisance is taken of the initiatives relating to water conservation and water demand management being undertaken by Umgeni Water and the various Water Services Authorities. However, these are not discussed in this Infrastructure Master Plan as they fall outside its primary focus, even though they are within the overall framework of Umgeni Water’s infrastructure planning process. The Infrastructure Master Plan is a dynamic and evolving document. Outputs from current planning studies, and comments received on this document will therefore be taken into account in the preparation of the next update.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preface .........................................................................................................................................i Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................i List of Figures ............................................................................................................................. iv List of Tables ............................................................................................................................ viii List of Acronyms ......................................................................................................................... x List of Units .............................................................................................................................. xiii 1. Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 1

1.1 Purpose ......................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Setting the Scene .......................................................................................................... 3

2. Situational Analysis ............................................................................................................ 5 2.1 Administrative Landscape ............................................................................................ 5 2.2 Natural Environment .................................................................................................. 19 2.3 Existing Development Status ...................................................................................... 22 2.4 Basic Needs................................................................................................................. 32 2.5 Development Plans..................................................................................................... 48 2.6 Regional Water Planning Overview ............................................................................ 59 2.7 Water Supply outside of Umgeni Water’s operational area ...................................... 67

3. Demand Forecasts ............................................................................................................ 72 3.1 Review of 2012/13 Sales ............................................................................................ 72 3.2 2014 Short-Term Bulk Water Sales Forecasts ............................................................ 74

3.2.1 eThekwini Municipality ...................................................................................... 74 3.2.2 The Msunduzi Municipality ............................................................................... 75 3.2.3 Umgungundlovu District Municipality ............................................................... 76 3.2.4 Ilembe District Municipality (including Sembcorp Siza Water) ......................... 77 3.2.5 Ugu District Municipality ................................................................................... 79 3.2.6 Harry Gwala District Municipality ...................................................................... 80

3.3 Long-Term Forecast .................................................................................................... 81 4. Water Resources ............................................................................................................. 83

4.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 83 4.2 Climate........................................................................................................................ 85 4.3 Possible impacts of a changing climate on water security ......................................... 91 4.4 Water Resource Regions ............................................................................................ 94

4.4.1 Lower uThukela Region ..................................................................................... 96 4.4.2 Mvoti Region .................................................................................................... 104 4.4.3 Mdloti Region .................................................................................................. 115 4.4.4 Mooi/Mgeni Region ......................................................................................... 126 4.4.5 Mlazi/Lovu Region ........................................................................................... 149 4.4.6 Mkhomazi Region ............................................................................................ 156 4.4.7 Middle South Coast Region ............................................................................. 167 4.4.8 Mzimkhulu Region ........................................................................................... 182 4.4.9 Mtamvuna Region ........................................................................................... 191

4.5 Wastewater Reuse ................................................................................................... 198 4.5.1 Background and Existing Infrastructure .......................................................... 198 4.5.2 Proposed Options ............................................................................................ 198 4.5.3 Project Progress ............................................................................................... 198 4.5.4 Recommendation ............................................................................................ 200

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4.6 Seawater Desalination .............................................................................................. 201 4.7 Drought Interventions .............................................................................................. 203

4.7.1 Umzinto ........................................................................................................... 203 4.7.2 Maphumulo ..................................................................................................... 205

References .................................................................................................................................. I Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................. VI

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LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1.1 Locality of Umgeni Water’s area of operation. ................................................................... 1 Figure 1.2 Umgeni Water’s supply footprint. ...................................................................................... 2 Figure 1.3 Changes in Umgeni Water’s infrastructure March 2014 – present. ................................... 4 Figure 2.1 Institutional boundaries (DWS, KZN DoT, MDB, Umgeni Water). ...................................... 6 Figure 2.2 WSAs and their constituent local municipalities (DWS, KZN DoT, MDB, Umgeni

Water). ................................................................................................................................ 7 Figure 2.3 Timelines for the determination/redetermination and ward delimitation processes

for the 2016 municipal elections (MDB 2014: website). .................................................... 8 Figure 2.4 Human footprint (International Earth Science Information Network, Columbia

University 2011). ................................................................................................................. 9 Figure 2.5 Land cover (EKZNW 2014). ............................................................................................... 10 Figure 2.6 Change in urban category of land cover (1994 – 2008). ................................................... 11 Figure 2.7 Water use classes (DRDLR 2009 urban land use as a proxy). ........................................... 12 Figure 2.8 Thiessen polygon analysis showing proximity of buildings to one another (per m2)

(after Eskom 2011). ........................................................................................................... 14 Figure 2.9 Settlement footprints (DRDLR 2009, eThekwini Municipality 2009). ............................... 15 Figure 2.10 Contribution per number of people (Census 2011) and surface area to UW’s

operational area. ............................................................................................................... 16 Figure 2.11 Contribution per number of households (Census 2011) and surface area to UW’s

operational area. ............................................................................................................... 17 Figure 2.12 Change in number of people per WSA for 1996, 2001 and 2011 (Stats SA 2013). ........... 18 Figure 2.13 Change in population growth rate (percentage per annum) for 1996 – 2001 and

for 2001 – 2011 (Stats SA 2013)........................................................................................ 18 Figure 2.14 Terrestrial Systematic Conservation Plan (EKZNW 2010). ................................................ 20 Figure 2.15 Agricultural land categories (KZN DAEA 2012). ................................................................ 21 Figure 2.16 2010 land use on traditional areas (DRDLR 2012). ........................................................... 22 Figure 2.17 GDP-R per WSA for the period 1996 – 2013 (KZN Treasury after Global Insight

2014). ................................................................................................................................ 23 Figure 2.18 Cartogram of Percentage contribution of municipal GDP-R to KZN GDP-R (2013)

(KZN Treasury after Global Insight 2013). ......................................................................... 24 Figure 2.19 Percentage contribution of municipal GDP-R to KZN GDP-R (2013) (KZN Treasury

after Global Insight 2013). ................................................................................................ 25 Figure 2.20 Urban areas, rural areas and CoGTA’s A - C2 Categorisation (DRDLR 2009, CoGTA

2009). ................................................................................................................................ 27 Figure 2.21 CoGTA’s spatial classification (CoGTA 2009). ................................................................... 28 Figure 2.22 DRDLR’s urban classification. ............................................................................................ 31 Figure 2.23 KZN PGDS composite social needs (KZN Planning Commission 2011). ........................... 33 Figure 2.24 The three dimensions and 10 indicators of the MPI (OPHI 2014: website). .................... 34 Figure 2.25 Calculation of the SAMPI score. ........................................................................................ 36 Figure 2.26 2011 SAMPI score per ward (Stats SA 2014). ................................................................... 37 Figure 2.27 Contribution of weighted indicators to SAMPI 2011 in KwaZulu-Natal (Stats SA

2014b: 32). ........................................................................................................................ 39 Figure 2.28 Distribution of largest three weighted indicators to SAMPI 2011 per ward (Stats SA

2014). ................................................................................................................................ 39 Figure 2.29 Number of households with access to piped water (Census 2011). ................................ 41 Figure 2.30 Cartogram showing number of people with access to piped water (Census 2011). ........ 42 Figure 2.31 Proxy showing access to piped water (after Census 2011 and EKZN-W 2011). ............... 43 Figure 2.32 Number of households by source of water (Census 2011)............................................... 44

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Figure 2.33 Cartogram showing number of people by source of water (Census 2011). ..................... 45 Figure 2.34 Proxy showing source of water (after Census 2011 and EKZN-W 2011). ......................... 46 Figure 2.35 Number of households with access to toilet facilities (Census 2011). ............................. 47 Figure 2.36 Institutional framework for the KZN PGDP (KZN Planning Commission 2014b: 9). ......... 50 Figure 2.37 Roles and functions in the KZN PGDP implementation (KZN Planning Commission

2014b: 11). ........................................................................................................................ 50 Figure 2.38 Proposed development applications (2013 - 2014) (KZN CoGTA AFS 2014). ................... 53 Figure 2.39 KZN Provincial Spatial Development Framework (KZN Planning Commission 2011). ...... 54 Figure 2.40 PSEDS nodes and priority intervention areas (KZN Planning Commission 2011). ............ 55 Figure 2.41 Alignment between the PSEDS and proposed developments (2013 – 2014). ................. 56 Figure 2.42 Municipal SDFs. ................................................................................................................. 57 Figure 2.43 Alignment between municipal SDFs, proposed developments and identified

priority intervention areas. ............................................................................................... 58 Figure 2.44 Current bulk water supply strategy. ................................................................................. 60 Figure 2.45 Mgeni System - Existing Water Balance............................................................................ 61 Figure 2.46 Mdloti System – Existing Water Balance. ......................................................................... 62 Figure 2.47 Future bulk water supply strategy. ................................................................................... 63 Figure 2.48 Mgeni System Water Balance with MMTS-2. ................................................................... 65 Figure 2.49 KZN WSAs. ......................................................................................................................... 68 Figure 2.50 KZN water boards. ............................................................................................................ 68 Figure 2.51 Former municipal entity providing bulk water and sanitation services (uThukela

Water is in the process of being disestablished). ............................................................. 69 Figure 2.52 DWS proposed WSAs and local municipality for whom Umgeni Water should be

BWSP. ................................................................................................................................ 70 Figure 3.1 Umgeni Water Total Average Daily Sales. ........................................................................ 73 Figure 3.2 Distribution of Sales Volumes for 2013/2014. .................................................................. 73 Figure 3.3 Total Average Daily Sales Volumes - Annual short-term forecast comparison. ............... 74 Figure 3.4 eThekwini Municipality Total Volumes - Annual short-term forecast. ............................. 75 Figure 3.5 Msunduzi Municipality Total Sales Volumes - Annual short-term forecast. .................... 76 Figure 3.6 Umgungungdlovu District Municipality Total Sales Volumes - Annual short-term

forecast. ............................................................................................................................ 77 Figure 3.7 Siza Water Total Sales Volumes - Annual short-term forecast. ........................................ 78 Figure 3.8 Ilembe District Municipality Total Sales Volumes - Annual short-term forecast.............. 79 Figure 3.9 Ugu District Municipality Total Sales Volumes - Annual short-term forecast. ................. 80 Figure 3.10 Harry Gwala District Municipality Total Sales Volumes - Annual short-term

forecast ............................................................................................................................. 81 Figure 3.11 Umgeni Water Long-Term Bulk Water Sales Forecast. ..................................................... 82 Figure 4.1 Water resource regions in Umgeni Water’s operational area. ......................................... 84 Figure 4.2 Climatic Zones (Köppen Classification). ............................................................................ 86 Figure 4.3 Mean annual precipitation (mm). ..................................................................................... 87 Figure 4.4 Mean annual evaporation (mm). ...................................................................................... 88 Figure 4.5 Mean annual temperature (0C). ........................................................................................ 89 Figure 4.6 Mean annual runoff (mm). ............................................................................................... 90 Figure 4.7 Quaternary catchments. ................................................................................................... 95 Figure 4.8 General layout of the Lower uThukela Region. ................................................................ 98 Figure 4.9 Groundwater regions (2nd Edition). ................................................................................. 99 Figure 4.10 Groundwater potential in the uThukela Region. ............................................................ 100 Figure 4.11 Proposed water resource infrastructure in the Lower uThukela Region. ...................... 103 Figure 4.12 General layout of the Mvoti region. ............................................................................... 106 Figure 4.13 Groundwater potential in the Mvoti Region. ................................................................. 107

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Figure 4.14 Percentage compliance vs. non-compliance with the Resource Quality Objective for Mvoti. ........................................................................................................................ 108

Figure 4.15 Proposed water resource infrastructure in the Mvoti Region. ...................................... 113 Figure 4.16 Spatial layout of proposed temporary abstraction on the Hlimbitwa River in

relation to the Imvutshane Dam. .................................................................................... 114 Figure 4.17 General layout of the Mdloti Region. ............................................................................. 117 Figure 4.18 Groundwater potential in the Mdloti Region. ................................................................ 119 Figure 4.19 Percentage compliance vs. non-compliance with the Resource Quality Objective

for Hazelmere WTP. ........................................................................................................ 120 Figure 4.20 Hazelmere Dam. ............................................................................................................. 121 Figure 4.21 Proposed water resource infrastructure in the Mdloti Region. ..................................... 125 Figure 4.22 General layout of the Mooi/Mgeni Region..................................................................... 127 Figure 4.23 Groundwater potential in the Mooi/Mgeni Region. ...................................................... 130 Figure 4.24 Percentage compliance vs. non-compliance with the Resource Quality Objective

for Midmar WTP. ............................................................................................................ 132 Figure 4.25 Percentage compliance vs. non-compliance with the Resource Quality Objective

for the Nagle System. ...................................................................................................... 133 Figure 4.26 Percentage compliance vs. non-compliance with the Resource Quality Objective

for Inanda System ........................................................................................................... 134 Figure 4.27 Historical storage of Spring Grove Dam. ......................................................................... 136 Figure 4.28 Midmar Dam. .................................................................................................................. 137 Figure 4.29 Albert Falls Dam. ............................................................................................................. 138 Figure 4.30 Nagle Dam. ..................................................................................................................... 139 Figure 4.31 Inanda Dam. .................................................................................................................... 140 Figure 4.32 Mearns Weir. .................................................................................................................. 141 Figure 4.33 Spring Grove Dam ............................................................................................................ 142 Figure 4.34 Schematic of the Mgeni System. .................................................................................... 146 Figure 4.35 Proposed water resource infrastructure in the Mooi/Mgeni Region. ............................ 148 Figure 4.36 General layout of the Mlazi/Lovu Region. ...................................................................... 151 Figure 4.37 Groundwater potential in the Mlazi/Lovu Region. ......................................................... 152 Figure 4.38 Percentage compliance vs. non-compliance with the Resource Quality Objective

for Nungwane. ................................................................................................................ 153 Figure 4.39 Nungwane Dam. ............................................................................................................. 154 Figure 4.40 General layout of the Mkhomazi Region. ....................................................................... 159 Figure 4.41 Groundwater potential in the Mkhomazi Region. .......................................................... 160 Figure 4.42 Percentage compliance vs. non-compliance with the Resource Quality Objective

for the Ixopo Dam. .......................................................................................................... 161 Figure 4.43 Ixopo Dam. ...................................................................................................................... 162 Figure 4.44 Artistic plan of Smithfield Dam ....................................................................................... 164 Figure 4.45 Proposed water resource infrastructure in the Mkhomazi Region. ............................... 165 Figure 4.46 General layout of the Middle South Coast Region. ........................................................ 169 Figure 4.47 Groundwater potential in the Middle South Region. ..................................................... 170 Figure 4.48 Percentage compliance vs. non-compliance with the Resource Quality Objective

for the E.J. Smith – Umzinto System. .............................................................................. 172 Figure 4.49 Percentage compliance vs. non-compliance with the Resource Quality Objective

for the Mtwalume. .......................................................................................................... 173 Figure 4.50 Umzinto Dam. ................................................................................................................. 175 Figure 4.51 E.J. Smith Dam. ............................................................................................................... 176 Figure 4.52 Mhlabatshane Dam. ........................................................................................................ 177 Figure 4.53 Schematic of the Middle South Coast system. ............................................................... 178 Figure 4.54 Department of Water and Sanitation Mpambanyoni Weir. ........................................... 180

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Figure 4.55 Proposed water resource infrastructure in the Middle South Coast Region. ................ 181 Figure 4.56 General layout of the Mzimkulu Region. ........................................................................ 183 Figure 4.57 Groundwater potential in the Mzimkulu Region. ........................................................... 186 Figure 4.58 Proposed water resource infrastructure in Mzimkulu Region. ...................................... 190 Figure 4.59 General layout of the Mtamvuna Region. ...................................................................... 192 Figure 4.60 Groundwater potential in the Mtamvuna Region. ......................................................... 194 Figure 4.61 Ludeke Dam. ................................................................................................................... 196 Figure 4.62 Indirect Potable Reuse Treatment Train Options ........................................................... 199 Figure 4.63 Direct Potable Reuse Treatment Train Options .............................................................. 200 Figure 4.64 Downstream Flow in iMvutshane River on 01 September 2014 .................................... 205

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LIST OF TABLES Table 1.1 Recent additions to Umgeni Water Bulk Supply Infrastructure. ........................................ 3 Table 2.1 Changes in land cover (1994 – 2011). ............................................................................... 11 Table 2.2 Water use class per WSA (eThekwini 2015, Msunduzi 2014, Umgungundlovu

2012, Ilembe 2012, Ugu 2015 and Harry Gwala 2015). .................................................... 12 Table 2.3 CoGTA’s A – C2 categorisation and spatial classification system (2009). ......................... 29 Table 2.4 Urban area classification (DRDLR 2009: 12). .................................................................... 30 Table 2.5 The dimensions, indicators and deprivation “cut-offs” for SAMPI (Stats SA

2014b: 6). .......................................................................................................................... 34 Table 2.6 The SAMPI dimensions, indicators and their weights (Stats SA 2014b: 8). ...................... 35 Table 2.7 Poverty measures for Census 2001 and Census 2011 at municipal level for

Umgeni Water’s operational area (Stats SA 2014: 33). .................................................... 38 Table 2.8 Strategic Integrated Projects applicable to KZN (KZN Planning Commission

2013). ................................................................................................................................ 48 Table 2.9 Responsibility matrix for the KZN PGDP (KZN Planning Commission 2014b: 11 -

12). .................................................................................................................................... 51 Table 2.10 Summary of UAP water backlogs and proposed schemes (for implementation

by 2020) in KZN. ................................................................................................................ 71 Table 4.1 Distribution of surface water resources. .......................................................................... 94 Table 4.2 Hydrological characteristics of the Lower uThukela Region (WR90). ............................... 97 Table 4.3 Hydrological characteristics for the Mvoti region (WR90). ............................................ 104 Table 4.4 Existing Dams in the Mvoti Region. ................................................................................ 110 Table 4.5 Yield information for the existing water resource abstractions in the

Mvoti Region. .................................................................................................................. 110 Table 4.6 Proposed water resource infrastructure in the Mvoti Region. ....................................... 112 Table 4.7 Hydrological characteristics of the Mdloti Region. ......................................................... 115 Table 4.8 Characteristics of Hazelmere Dam. ................................................................................. 122 Table 4.9 Existing Dams in the Mdloti Region. ............................................................................... 122 Table 4.10 Yield Information for the existing water resource developments in the Mdloti

Region. ............................................................................................................................ 122 Table 4.11 Proposed water resource infrastructure for the Mdloti Region. .................................... 124 Table 4.12 Hydrological characteristics of the Mgeni/Mooi Region (WR90). .................................. 128 Table 4.13 Summary of environmental (compensation) flow requirements. .................................. 135 Table 4.14 Characteristics of Midmar Dam. ..................................................................................... 137 Table 4.15 Characteristics of Albert Falls Dam. ................................................................................ 138 Table 4.16 Characteristics of Nagle Dam. ......................................................................................... 139 Table 4.17 Characteristics of Inanda Dam. ....................................................................................... 140 Table 4.18 Characteristics of Mearns Weir. ..................................................................................... 141 Table 4.19 Characteristics of Spring Grove Dam. ............................................................................. 142 Table 4.20 Characteristics of Henley Dam. ....................................................................................... 143 Table 4.21 Existing Dams in the Mooi/Mgeni Region....................................................................... 144 Table 4.22 Yield Information for the existing and proposed water resource infrastructure

in the Mooi/Mgeni Region. ............................................................................................. 145 Table 4.23 Hydrological characteristics of the Mlazi/Lovu Region (WR90). .................................... 149 Table 4.24 Dams in the Mlazi/Lovu Region. ..................................................................................... 155 Table 4.25 Characteristics of Nungwane Dam. ................................................................................. 155 Table 4.26 Yield Information for the existing water resource developments in the

Mlazi/Lovu Region. ......................................................................................................... 155 Table 4.27 Hydrological characteristics of uMkhomazi River catchment (DWA 2013) .................... 157

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Table 4.28 Hydrological characteristics of the uMkhomazi Region (Umgeni Water 2002 & DWA 2013). ..................................................................................................................... 157

Table 4.29 Characteristics of Ixopo Dam. ......................................................................................... 163 Table 4.30 Existing Dams in the Ixopo Region. ................................................................................. 163 Table 4.31 Proposed water resource infrastructure for the Mkhomazi Region. ............................. 166 Table 4.32 Revised yields for proposed water resource infrastructure for Mkhomazi

Region* ........................................................................................................................... 166 Table 4.33 Hydrological characteristics for the Middle South Coast Region (WR90). ..................... 168 Table 4.34 Characteristics of Umzinto Dam. .................................................................................... 175 Table 4.35 Characteristics of E.J. Smith Dam. ................................................................................... 176 Table 4.36 Characteristics of Mhlabatshane Dam ............................................................................ 177 Table 4.37 Yield Information for the existing water resource infrastructure in the Middle

South Coast Region. ........................................................................................................ 178 Table 4.38 Yield information for the proposed dams in the Middle South Coast Region. ............... 182 Table 4.39 Hydrological characteristics of the Mzimkulu Region (WR90). ...................................... 184 Table 4.40 Summary of the ecological status of the Mzimkulu River and its tributaries. ................ 187 Table 4.41 Yield Information for the St Helen’s Rock Abstraction site. ........................................... 188 Table 4.42 Characteristics of Ncwabeni Dam. .................................................................................. 189 Table 4.43 Hydrological characteristics of the Mtamvuna Region (WR90). ..................................... 193 Table 4.44 Yield Information for the Ludeke Dam in the Mtamvuna Region. ................................. 196 Table 4.45 Hydrological characteristics for the Middle South Coast Region ................................... 203

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LIST OF ACRONYMS AADD Annual Average Daily Demand

AC Asbestos Cement

ADWF Average Dry Weather Flow

AsgiSA Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative of South Africa

AVGF Autonomous Valveless Gravity Filter

BID Background Information Document

BPT Break Pressure Tank

BWL Bottom Water Level

BWSP Bulk Water Services Provider

BWSS Bulk Water Supply Scheme

CAPEX Capital Expenditure

CMA Catchment Management Agency

CoGTA Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs

CWSS Community Water Supply and Sanitation project

DAEA Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs

DEA Department of Environmental Affairs

DFA Development Facilitation Act (65 of 1995)

DM District Municipality

DMA District Management Area

DRDLR Department of Rural Development and Land Reform

DWA DWS

Department of Water Affairs Department of Water and Sanitation

DWAF Department of Water Affairs and Forestry

EFR Estuarine Flow Requirements

EIA Environmental Impact Assessment

EKZN Wildlife Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife

EMP Environmental Management Plan

EWS eThekwini Water Services

EXCO Executive Committee

FC Fibre Cement

FL Floor level

FSL Full Supply level

GCM General Circulation Model

GDP Gross Domestic Product

GDPR Gross Domestic Product of Region

GVA Gross Value Added

HDI Human Development Index

IDP Integrated Development Plan

IFR In-stream Flow Requirements

IMP Infrastructure Master Plan

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IRP Integrated Resource Plan

ISP Internal Strategic Perspective

IWRM Integrated Water Resources Management

KZN KwaZulu-Natal

LM Local Municipality

LUMS Land Use Management System

MA Moving Average

MAP Mean Annual Precipitation

MAR Mean Annual Runoff

MBR Membrane Bioreactor

MMTS Mooi-Mgeni Transfer Scheme

MMTS-1 Mooi-Mgeni Transfer Scheme Phase 1

MMTS-2 Mooi-Mgeni Transfer Scheme Phase 2

mPVC Modified Polyvinyl Chloride

MTEF Medium-Term Expenditure Framework

MTSF Medium-Term Strategic Framework

MWP Mkomazi Water Project

MWP-1 Mkomazi Water Project Phase 1

NCP-1 North Coast Pipeline I

NCP-2 North Coast Pipeline II

NCSS North Coast Supply System

NGS Natal Group Sandstone

NPV Net Present Value

NSDP National Spatial Development Perspective

NWSP National Water Sector Plan

OPEX Operating Expenditure

p.a. Per annum

PEST Political, Economical, Sociological and Technological

PGDS Provincial Growth and Development Strategy

PPDC Provincial Planning and Development Commission (KZN’s)

PSEDS Provincial Spatial Economic Development Strategy

PWSP Provincial Water Sector Plan

RCC Roller Compacted Concrete

RDP Reconstruction and Development Programme

RO Reverse Osmosis

ROD Record of Decision

RQO Resource Quality Objective

SCA South Coast Augmentation

SCP South Coast Pipeline

SCP-1 South Coast Pipeline Phase 1

SCP-2a South Coast Pipeline Phase 2a

SCP-2b South Coast Pipeline Phase 2b

SDF Spatial Development Framework

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SHR St Helen’s Rock (near Port Shepstone)

STEEPLE Social/demographic, Technological, Economic, Environmental (Natural), Political, Legal and Ethical

SWRO Seawater Reverse Osmosis

TBM Tunnel Boring Machine

TLC Transitional Local Council

TWL Top Water Level

uPVC Unplasticised Polyvinyl Chloride

UW Umgeni Water

WA Western Aqueduct

WC Water Conservation

WDM Water Demand Management

WMA Water Management Area

WRC Water Research Commission

WSA Water Services Authority

WSDP Water Services Development Plan

WSNIS Water Services National Information System

WSP Water Services Provider

WTP Water Treatment Plant

WWW Wastewater Works

Spellings of toponyms have been obtained from the Department of Arts and Culture (DAC). DAC provides the official spelling of place names and the spellings, together with the relevant gazette numbers, can be accessed at http://www.dac.gov.za. When using any part of this report as a reference, please cite as follows: Umgeni Water, 2015. Umgeni Water Infrastructure Master Plan 2015/2016 – 2045/46, Vol 1 & 2. Prepared by Planning Services, March 2015.

http://www.dac.gov.za/doc/2012/APPROVED%20NAMES.XLSX2012.XLSX

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LIST OF UNITS Length/Distance: mm millimetre

m metre

km kilometre

Area: m2 square metres

ha hectare

km2 square kilometres

Level/Altitude: mASL metres above sea-level

Time: s second

min minute

hr hour

Volume: m3 cubic metres

Mℓ megalitre

million m3 million cubic metres

mcm million cubic metres

Water Use/Consumption/Treatment/Yield: l/c/day litre per capita per day

kl/day kilolitre per day

Mℓ/day megalitre per day

million m3/annum million cubic metres per annum

kg/hr kilograms per hour

Flow velocity/speed: m/s metres per second

Flow: m3/s cubic metres per second

l/hr litres per hour

m3/hr cubic metres per hour

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1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Purpose “Nothing is more terrible than activity without insight.”

Thomas Carlyle

Established in 1974, Umgeni Water has developed into the second largest water utility in South Africa, supplying over 453 million cubic metres of bulk potable water annually to six Water Services Authorities (WSAs), comprising one metropolitan municipality, four district municipalities, and one local municipality, within the province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). The locality of Umgeni Water’s area of operation, i.e. the area of these six WSAs, is shown in Figure 1.1. However, it is important to note that within this area Umgeni Water currently does not supply bulk water in the southern portion of Ugu District Municipality, nor in the portion of Ilembe District Municipality north of the uThukela River, and nor in the entire Harry Gwala District Municipality other than in the town of Ixopo.

Figure 1.1 Locality of Umgeni Water’s area of operation.

These municipalities collectively contribute approximately 75% of the province’s Gross Value Added (GVA). However, the highest poverty densities in KZN are also located in these areas. Hence, Umgeni Water is faced with the dual challenge of ensuring that the province’s economic engine remains served with a reliable supply of potable water, whilst also ensuring that water is adequately provided for the eradication of water backlogs, the improvement of the level of water services, and the alleviation of poverty. The WSAs are responsible for water service delivery to the people who reside within their respective areas of jurisdiction. The areas that receive reticulated water from the WSAs, who in turn receive bulk potable water from Umgeni Water, are shown in Figure 1.2

2

Figure 1.2 Umgeni Water’s supply footprint.

This collective reticulated area constitutes Umgeni Water ‘supply footprint’ and comprises of various levels of service based on a number of bulk supply schemes that are both interdependent and stand-alone. The environment within which Umgeni Water is required to fulfil its function as a regional bulk water service provider is constantly undergoing change, with many factors influencing both the water demand and water supply components of its business. In particular, the economic up- and down-turns that the country, including KZN, has experienced over the past few years have a marked influence. Umgeni Water’s infrastructure planning therefore needs to be continually reviewed, updated and adapted in order to be responsive (wherever possible) to this dynamic external environment . For any organisation to effectively achieve its mission, it needs to have, amongst other things, a clearly defined plan of what is required in the future so that it can be addressed in the present. This Infrastructure Master Plan 2015 (IMP 2015) describes how Umgeni Water intends to address the future bulk water infrastructure requirements within its area of operation in order to meet the anticipated needs. It also indicates the proposed integration between these water supply infrastructure plans and the regional water resource plans being developed by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS). This infrastructure master plan comprises the following sections:

Section 2 identifies the changes that have occurred in the external environment since the IMP 2014 that have had an impact on the provision of sustainable bulk potable water;

3

Section 3 presents a review of actual sales achieved in 2014 against the IMP 2014 forecast, and provides revised short-term (3 year) and long-term (30 year) water demand projections;

Section 4 analyses the current water resource situation and identifies the new water resource infrastructure required to meet the projected water demands;

Section 5 identifies the water supply capacity constraints and the new infrastructure required to meet the projected water demands;

Section 6 describes and identifies the capacity constraints of the wastewater infrastructure; and

Section 7 provides individual project sheets for those infrastructure projects identified in Section 5.

1.2 Setting the Scene The distribution of Umgeni Water’s infrastructure and the projects that have been commissioned since the publication of the IMP 2014 are shown in Figure 1.3. These changes are summarised in Table 1.1.

Table 1.1 Recent additions to Umgeni Water Bulk Supply Infrastructure.

Infrastructure Status

Hazelmere Water Works to Bifurcation Pipeline Commissioned February 2014

Quarry Reservoir Upgrade Commissioned September 2014

Howick North Reservoir Upgrade Commissioned October 2014

’61 Pipeline Upgrade: ED4 – Umlaas Road Commissioned December 2014

Richmond Pipeline Completed December 2014, due to be commissioned in March / April 2015

Ellingham Link Pipeline Commissioned December 2014, Pump Station to be commissioned in March / April 2015

Hazelmere Water Works Upgrade Commissioned February 2015

Hazelmere Pump Station Commissioned February 2015

4

Figure 1.3 Figure 1.3 Changes in Umgeni Water’s infrastructure March 2014 – present.

5

2. SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS

2.1 Administrative Landscape The “administrative landscape” (KZN Planning Commission 2011: 35) surrounding and within Umgeni Water’s area of operation (Figure 2.1 and Figure 2.2) will change with the 2016 municipal elections. On 15 October 2013, the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB) announced the municipal boundary changes that will occur after the 2016 municipal elections. Of the proposed 29 changes in Umgeni Water’s area of operation, 22 have been confirmed by the MDB in their evaluation. The Section 21 Notices in terms of the Municipal Demarcation Act, 1998 listing these changes are available on the MDB website at www.demarcation.org.za . Notable changes will include:

Vulamehlo and Umdoni Municipalities will be combined and amalgamated.

Ezinqolweni and Hibiscus Coast Municipalities will be combined and amalgamated.

KwaSani and Ingwe Municipalities will be combined and amalgamated.

Future impacts on Umgeni Water’s existing infrastructure are as follows:

The ward in which Mhlabatshane Dam (Umzumbe Municipality in Ugu District Municipality,

see Section 5.4) is located is being transferred to uBuhlebezwe Municipality in Harry Gwala

District Municipality.

Albert Falls Dam (see Section 4.4.4) will become completely located in uMshwathi

Municipality (Albert Falls Dam is currently located in both uMshwathi Municipality and

uMngeni Municipality).

Portions of the Greater Eston Bulk Water Supply Scheme (see Section 7.4.8) will fall within

eThekwini Municipality, with Ward 5 of Mkhambathini Municipality being transferred to

eThekwini Municipality.

Nungwane Dam will be located in eThekwini Municipality, with a portion of Vulamehlo

Municipality being transferred to eThekwini Municipality.

Possible effects on proposed infrastructure include:

The proposed Smithfield Dam may now be located in both Impendle and Ingwe Municipalities,

with the transfer of a portion of Ingwe Municipality to Impendle Municipality (the proposed

Smithfield Dam is currently only located in Ingwe Municipality).

The proposed Impendle Dam may now be located in both Impendle and KwaSani

Municipalities, with the transfer of a portion of Impendle Municipality to KwaSani Municipality

(the proposed Impendle Dam is currently only located in Impendle Municipality).

http://www.demarcation.org.za/

6

Figure 2.1 Institutional boundaries (DWS, KZN DoT, MDB, Umgeni Water).

7 Figure 2.2 WSAs and their constituent local municipalities (DWS, KZN DoT, MDB, Umgeni Water).

8

On 9 December 2014, the MDB released the draft ward maps that will be used by the municipalities for the stakeholder consultation process to delimit the wards that will be used for the 2016 municipal elections. The draft ward maps are available on the MDB website at http://www.demarcation.org.za/index.php/ward-delimitation/2014-2015/kwazulu-natal/maps-2. The approximate timeline for the changes in the municipal and ward boundaries for the 2016 municipal elections are shown in Figure 2.3. The process of amending the boundaries will be concluded when the approved ward boundaries are submitted to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) on 31 August 2015 (MDB 2014: 7).

Figure 2.3 Timelines for the determination/redetermination and ward delimitation processes for the 2016 municipal elections (MDB 2014: website).

The “human footprint” within Umgeni Water’s area of operation is summarised in Figure 2.4 (after KZN PGDS 2011). The KZN Provincial Growth and Development Strategy (PGDS) explains that “the human footprint depicts human impact on the environment and is related to population density, infrastructure investment and economic activities” (2011: 33). The highest levels of human impact are shown to be along the key routes of accessibility viz. the “T-junction” formed by the N3 and N2 highways. The land cover components of the “human footprint” are shown in Figure 2.5 at a finer resolution. The increasing trend in the transformation of the natural environment, with urban areas increasing, is shown in Table 2.1 and Figure 2.6 (please note that inaccuracies may be present due to inconsistent scales between each land cover dataset).

http://www.demarcation.org.za/index.php/ward-delimitation/2014-2015/kwazulu-natal/maps-2

9

Figure 2.4 Human footprint (International Earth Science Information Network, Columbia University 2011).

10

Figure 2.5 Land cover (EKZNW 2014).

11

Table 2.1 Changes in land cover (1994 – 2011).

Land Cover Category 1994 2000 2005 20081 2011

Barren Lands 7.7 4.6 3.1 4.8 4.5

Cultivated Land 20.9 17.4 17 19.2 20.8

Forest Plantations 9.7 9.7 10.3 13.6 13.5

Forest and Woodland 1.3 1.9 4.1 11.1 11.0

Grassland 39.7 35.4 38 32.3 30.6

Mines and Quarries 0 0 0 0.0 0.0

Thicket, Bushland, Scrub Forest and High Fynbos 16.5 25.8 17.3 6.8 6.7

Urban/Built-Up Land 3.4 3.7 8.9 10.2 10.8

Waterbodies 0.5 0.8 0.9 1.0 1.1

Wetlands 0.2 0.8 0.4 0.9 0.8

Total 100 100 100 100.0 100.0

1 – This column represents Version 2 of the 2008 EKZNW land cover dataset.

Figure 2.6 Change in urban category of land cover (1994 – 2008).

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

1994 2000 2005 2008 2011

Pe

rce

nta

ge C

on

trib

uti

on

of

Urb

an t

o

Tota

l Lan

d C

ove

r (%

)

Change in Urban Land Cover (1994 - 2011)

12

The urban category of land cover consists of land uses i.e. “human activity that is associated with a specific land unit in terms of utilisation, impact or management practice” (Thompson 1999: presentation) such as residential, commercial, industrial, administration, recreation etc. Each of these land uses have a corresponding water use which contributes to the WSA’s total water consumption (Section 3). The domestic (i.e. residential land use); commercial; and industrial water use classes are shown in Figure 2.7 and Table 2.2.

Figure 2.7 Water use classes (DRDLR 2009 urban land use as a proxy).

Table 2.2 Water use class per WSA (eThekwini 2015, Msunduzi 2014, Umgungundlovu 2012, Ilembe 2012, Ugu 2015 and Harry Gwala 2015).

WSA Commercial (%) Industrial (%) Domestic (%) Source Date

eThekwini 26.9 9.3 63.8 September 2014

Msunduzi 17.4 23.8 58.8 November 2013 – November 2014

Umgungundlovu 23.0 77.0 December 2012

Ilembe 20.0 10.0 70.0 December 2012

Ugu Unavailable January 2015

Harry Gwala Unavailable January 2015

13

The building density (a Thiessen polygon analysis on Eskom’s 2011 Building Count dataset) as shown in Figure 2.8 correlates with the spatial distribution of urban areas as illustrated in Figure 2.6. The settlement footprints, occurring within the “urban” land cover category (Figure 2.5 and Figure 2.6) as identified by the KZN office of the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR), in relation to Umgeni Water’s infrastructure are illustrated in Figure 2.9. In addition to the “T-junction” (Figure 2.4), Figure 2.8 and Figure 2.9 also show that there is a concentration of people in the “shadow corridor” which runs parallel to the N2 highway. These concentrations of people show the areas in which there is a high potable water demand. It is shown in Figure 2.10 and Figure 2.11 that whilst Harry Gwala District Municipality has the largest surface area within Umgeni Water’s area of operation, it only contributes 7.38% (461 420 people) to the number of people, whilst eThekwini Municipality has the highest number of people (3 442 361 people) but the second smallest surface area. The change in the number of people per WSA for the period 1996 - 2011 is shown in Figure 2.12. The change in the population growth rates (percentage per annum) for the periods 1996 – 2001 and 2001 – 2011 is shown in Figure 2.13. This figure shows that whilst eThekwini WSA and Msunduzi WSA are still experiencing positive growth rates, certain municipalities in Harry Gwala WSA and Ugu WSA have decreased to negative growth rates. The growth in Umgungundlovu WSA and Ilembe WSA, whilst still positive for certain municipalities, has slowed down.

14

Figure 2.8 Thiessen polygon analysis showing proximity of buildings to one another (per m2) (after Eskom 2011).

15

Figure 2.9 Settlement footprints (DRDLR 2009, eThekwini Municipality 2009).

16

WSA Name Area

(sq. km)

Percentage Contribution

Per Area


per Number of People

Number of People (Census 2011)

eThekwini 2 291.33 7.47 55.07 3 442 361

Ugu 5 047.57 16.46 11.56 722 484

Msunduzi 634.08 2.07 9.90 618 536

Ilembe 3 269.31 10.66 9.71 606 809

Harry Gwala 10 552.02 34.40 7.38 461 420

Umgungundlovu 8 880.51 28.95 6.39 399 227

eThekwini 3 442 361

55%

Ugu 722 484

12%

Msunduzi 618 536

10%

Ilembe 606 809

10%

Harry Gwala

461 420 7%

eThekwini 2 291.33

8% Ugu 5 047.57

16%

Msunduzi 634.08

2%

Ilembe 3 269.31

11% Harry Gwala

10 552.02 34%

Surface Area (km2) of WSAs Cartogram of Number of People per WSA (Census 2011)

Contribution of WSA Surface Area to UW Operational Area

Contribution of Number of People per WSA to UW Operational Area

Figure 2.10 Contribution per number of people (Census 2011) and surface area to UW’s operational area.

Umgungundlovu 399 227

6%

Umgungundlovu 8 880.51

29%

17

WSA Name Area (sq. km) Percentage

Contribution Per Area


per Number of Households

Number of Households

(Census 2011)

eThekwini 2 291.33 7.47 56.99 956 712

Ugu 5 047.57 16.46 10.69 179 444

Msunduzi 634.08 2.07 9.77 163 993

Ilembe 3 269.31 10.66 9.39 157 692

Harry Gwala 10 552.02 34.40 6.69 112 281

Umgungundlovu 8 880.51 28.95 6.47 108 674

eThekwini 2 291.33

8%

Ugu 5 047.57

16% Msunduzi

634.08 2% Ilembe

3 269.31 11%

Harry Gwala

10 552.02 34%

Surface Area (km2) of WSAs Cartogram of Number of Households per WSA (Census 2011)

eThekwini

Contribution of WSA Surface Area to UW Operational Area

Contribution of Number Households per WSA to UW Operational Area

eThekwini 956 712

57% Ugu

179 444 11%

Msunduzi 163 993

10%

Ilembe 157 692

9%

Harry Gwala

112 281 7%

Figure 2.11 Contribution per number of households (Census 2011) and surface area to UW’s operational area.

Umgungundlovu 8 880.51

29%

Umgungundlovu 108 674

6%

18

Figure 2.12 Change in number of people per WSA for 1996, 2001 and 2011 (Stats SA 2013).

Figure 2.13 Change in population growth rate (percentage per annum) for 1996 – 2001 and for 2001 – 2011 (Stats SA 2013).

Ugu Umgungundlovu Msunduzi Harry Gwala Ilembe eThekwini

1996 Population 641 491 357 408 524 266 385 063 544 739 2 748 299

2001 Population 704 030 379 284 552 837 452 231 560 389 3 090 122

2011 Population 722 484 399 227 618 536 461 419 606 809 3 442 361

0

500 000

1 000 000

1 500 000

2 000 000

2 500 000

3 000 000

3 500 000

4 000 000

Nu

mb

er

of

Peo

ple

19

2.2 Natural Environment The status of biodiversity is reflected by the Terrestrial Systematic Conservation Plan (TSCP) (Figure 2.14). The “transformation” as shown in the TSCP was obtained from the 2008 land cover and reflects those areas which have been completely transformed and all biodiversity value has been lost. These areas, shown in grey in Figure 2.14, correlate with the areas of human settlement shown in Figure 2.5, Figure 2.8 and Figure 2.9. However, a comparison of these maps also show that there are high numbers of people living in areas of high biodiversity value which results in a tension between the residential and conservation land uses. For these areas, guidance from the relevant planning authorities will need to be obtained as to the desired land use prior to the provision of bulk water supply. If the desired land use is conservation, stand-alone schemes (“off-grid”) may be the sustainable option for water provision. KZN Department of Agricultural and Rural Development (DARD) undertook a study in 2012 categorising all agricultural land within KZN. This study (Figure 2.15) is important for food security as it shows the most high-value agricultural land as well as those areas in which the land has been completely transformed. It is shown in Figure 2.15 that most of the transformed land is within Msunduzi WSA and eThekwini WSA. It is also shown that the most high-value agricultural land i.e. the agricultural land that is “Category A – Irreplaceable” is predominantly located in Umgungundlovu WSA with large areas in Harry Gwala WSA and along the “shadow corridor” in Ilembe WSA. Conventionally the provision of bulk infrastructure acts as a catalyst in transforming land into “urban” areas. This means that when Umgeni Water receives requests for the provision of bulk potable water in areas that are categorised as “Irreplaceable” in terms of agricultural value, Umgeni Water will need to work in close consultation with the KZN DARD to determine the most appropriate form of infrastructure provision. The land use occurring on traditional areas (DRDLR 2012) is illustrated in Figure 2.16. It is shown in this figure that there is no one-to-one relationship between “domestic water use” (Section 2.1) and the land uses occurring on traditional areas. A comparison of Figure 2.15 and Figure 2.16 shows that there are pockets of high-value agricultural land within traditional areas. There is a common perception that all traditional areas require a complete network in service provision. However, Figure 2.16 shows that the predominant land use within traditional areas is agriculture. Therefore the assumption that a network is required for service provision may unintentionally compromise food security.

20

Figure 2.14 Terrestrial Systematic Conservation Plan (EKZNW 2010).

21

Figure 2.15 Agricultural land categories (KZN DAEA 2012).

22

Figure 2.16 2010 land use on traditional areas (DRDLR 2012).

2.3 Existing Development Status The Gross Domestic Product by Region (GDP-R) for the WSAs in Umgeni Water’s area of operation for the period 1996 – 2013 is shown in Figure 2.17 and the percentage contributions of municipal GDP-R to the total KwaZulu-Natal GDP-R for 2013 is illustrated in Figure 2.18 and Figure 2.19.

23

Figure 2.17 GDP-R per WSA for the period 1996 – 2013 (KZN Treasury after Global Insight 2014).

0

50 000 000

100 000 000

150 000 000

200 000 000

250 000 000

300 000 000

350 000 000

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

GD

P b

y R

egi

on

(C

on

stan

t 2

00

5 P

rice

s (R

'1 0

00

))

KwaZulu-Natal eThekwini (ETH) Munsunduzi (KZN225) Ugu (DC21)

Ilembe (DC29) Umgungundlovu (DC22) Harry Gwala (DC43)

24

Figure 2.18 Cartogram of Percentage contribution of municipal GDP-R to KZN GDP-R (2013) (KZN Treasury after Global Insight 2013).

25

Figure 2.19 Percentage contribution of municipal GDP-R to KZN GDP-R (2013) (KZN Treasury after Global Insight 2013).

26

Figure 2.17 and Figure 2.18 show that, within Umgeni Water’s area of operation, eThekwini WSA is the largest contributor to KZN’s GDP-R, followed by Msunduzi WSA. Figure 2.17 also shows that after the 2008 recession, GDP-R is gradually increasing. Figure 2.19 illustrates that the municipalities with the highest GDP-R are located along the N3-N2 T-junction. However, a comparison of Figure 2.19 with Figure 2.5 and Figure 2.8 shows that the concentration of people, located in the “shadow corridor” running parallel to the N2, are living in municipalities that do not have high GDP-Rs. A comprehensive municipal categorisation was provided by the State of Local Government report (2009; IMP 2010) which provides the foundation for all planning work undertaken by government. The categorisation, which builds on the categorisation as defined in the Constitution (1996), “refers to the size of municipalities in terms of population, percentage of urban population and size of municipal budgets. These characteristics are relatively fixed over time and assist with understanding of municipal profiles” (CoGTA 2009b: 8). The categories are as follows:

A – Metros. Large urban complexes with populations over 1 million and accounting for 56% of

all municipal expenditure in the country.

B1 – Local Municipalities with large budgets and containing secondary cities.

B2 – Local Municipalities with a large town as a core.

B3 – Local Municipalities with small towns, with relatively small population and significant

proportion of urban population but with no large town as a core.

B4 – Local Municipalities which are mainly rural with communal tenure and with, at most, one

or two small towns in their area.

C1 – District Municipalities which are not water service authorities.

C2 – District Municipalities which are water service authorities.

(CoGTA 2009a: 9) The urban areas as identified by the DRDLR’s 2009 “Urban Edges” study (2009b) and rural settlements as identified by the DRDLR’s 2009 “Rural Settlements Update Project in KZN” study (2009a) (Figure 2.9) in relation to the CoGTA’s A – C2 categorisation are shown in Figure 2.20. CoGTA (2009b: 76) has also developed a spatial classification system for local municipalities based on the indicators of functionality, socio-economic profile and backlog status. The four municipal classifications are:

Class 1 – Most vulnerable.

Class 2 – Second most vulnerable.

Class 3 – Second highest performing.

Class 4 – Highest performing.

(CoGTA 2009a: 76) This classification is illustrated in Figure 2.21. Both classifications, as applicable to Umgeni Water’s area, are summarised in Table 2.3. It is shown in Figure 2.10 and Figure 2.21 that at present, Umgeni Water’s infrastructure is predominantly in those areas that are urban and which are “high performing”.

27

Figure 2.20 Urban areas, rural areas and CoGTA’s A - C2 Categorisation (DRDLR 2009, CoGTA 2009).

28

Figure 2.21 CoGTA’s spatial classification (CoGTA 2009).

29

Table 2.3 CoGTA’s A – C2 categorisation and spatial classification system (2009).

District Municipal ID

District Municipality Local

Municipal ID Local Municipality

CoGTA A – C2 Categorisation

CoGTA Spatial Classification

ETH eThekwini ETH eThekwini A Not Applicable

DC21 Ugu KZN211 Vulamehlo B4 Class 1: Most Vulnerable

DC21 Ugu KZN212 Umdoni B2 Class 3: Second Highest Performing

DC21 Ugu KZN213 Umzumbe B4 Class 1: Most Vulnerable

DC21 Ugu KZN214 uMuziwabantu B3 Class 1: Most Vulnerable

DC21 Ugu KZN215 Ezingoleni B4 Class 1: Most Vulnerable

DC21 Ugu KZN216 Hibiscus Coast B2 Class 3: Second Highest Performing

DC22 Umgungungdlovu KZN221 uMshwathi B4 Class 2: Second Most Vulnerable

DC22 Umgungungdlovu KZN222 uMngeni B2 Class 4: Highest Performing

DC22 Umgungundlovu KZN223 Mpofana B3 Class 3: Second Highest Performing

DC22 Umgungundlovu KZN224 Impendle B4 Class 1: Most Vulnerable

DC22 Umgungundlovu KZN225 The Msunduzi B1 Class 4: Highest Performing

DC22 Umgungundlovu KZN226 Mkhambathini B3 Class 2: Second Most Vulnerable

DC22 Umgungundlovu KZN227 Richmond B4 Class 2: Second Most Vulnerable

DC29 Ilembe KZN291 Mandeni B4 Class 2: Second Most Vulnerable

DC29 Ilembe KZN292 KwaDukuza B2 Class 4: Highest Performing

DC29 Ilembe KZN293 Ndwedwe B4 Class 1: Most Vulnerable

DC29 Ilembe KZN294 Maphumulo B4 Class 1: Most Vulnerable

DC43 Harry Gwala1 KZN431 Ingwe B4 Class 1: Most Vulnerable

DC43 Harry Gwala KZN432 KwaSani B3 Class 2: Second Most Vulnerable

DC43 Harry Gwala KZN433 Greater Kokstad B2 Class 3: Second Highest Performing

DC43 Harry Gwala KZN434 Ubuhlebezwe B4 Class 2: Second Most Vulnerable

DC43 Harry Gwala KZN435 Umzimkhulu B4 Class 1: Most Vulnerable

The DRDLR’s Urban Edges study (2009) identified a classification for urban areas, which is shown in Table 2.4 and Figure 2.22. The study did not include eThekwini Municipality, as eThekwini is undertaking its own study. KZN CoGTA is currently implementing a “Formalisation of Towns” project. Two towns, which were classed as “rudimentary small town” in the DRDLR’s classification, have been formalised, viz. Maphumulo and Ndwedwe (Figure 2.22), and a further three are currently being formalised, viz. Umbumbulu (not classified by DRDLR), Dududu (classified as “rudimentary small town”) and Turton (not classified) (Figure 2.22). These settlements being “formalised as towns” should result in the growth of these settlements, and therefore these lower-order urban centres will need to be monitored for growth into higher-order centres, as the higher-order centres have a higher consumption of potable water.

1 At the time of the study, DC43 was known as “Sisonke District Municipality”.

30

Table 2.4 Urban area classification (DRDLR 2009: 12).

Code Urban Continuum Category

0 Dense rural settlement: rural hamlet

1 Rudimentary small town (formal and/or informal)

1a Rudimentary service node

1b Self-serving small centre focussed around industry/service

1c Tourism centre

1d Golfing estate

1e Tourism resort

2 Low-order small towns

2a Limited range of services and formal residential

2b Dislocated dormitory suburb

3 Upper order small towns

3a Wide range of services plus residential formal layout with services and industries

4 Centre with full range of services and formal housing

5 Emerging metros

6 Full metros

31

Figure 2.22 DRDLR’s urban classification.

32

2.4 Basic Needs Statistics SA reports that:

“In 2012, South Africa published a set of three national poverty lines – the food poverty line (FPL), lower-bound poverty line (LBPL) and upper-bound poverty line (UBPL) – to be used for poverty measurement in the country. The FPL is the level of consumption below which individuals are unable to purchase sufficient food to provide them with an adequate diet. Those below this line are either consuming insufficient calories for their nourishment, or must change their consumption patterns from those preferred by low income households. The LBPL includes non-food items, but requires that individuals sacrifice food in order to obtain these, while individuals at the UBPL can purchase both adequate food and non-food items. The Rand value of each line is updated annually using CPI prices data.”

(Stats SA 2014a: 7) The three national poverty lines are an example of a “unidimensional measure” which is appropriate for “measuring absolute poverty” but “does not capture the multiple aspects that constitute poverty” (Stats SA 2014b: 2). Stats SA explains that “a multidimensional measure seeks to incorporate a range of indicators to capture the complexity of poverty” as “poverty is made up of several factors that amount to a poor person’s experience of deprivation – these can include poor health, lack of education, inadequate living standards, lack of income, disempowerment, lack of decent work and threat from violence” (2014b: 2). A multidimensional measure of poverty is therefore “a more robust tool to better inform programme and policies designed to fight poverty” (Stats SA 2014b: 2). The KZN Provincial Growth and Development Strategy (PGDS) determined the areas of social need using population density, dependency ratio and the provincial index of multiple deprivation (KZN Planning Commission 2011). This is shown in Figure 2.23. The comparison of this figure with Figure 2.5, Figure 2.8 and Figure 2.19 shows that those with the highest social need are residing in the “shadow corridor”. A comparison with Figure 2.21 further shows that these municipalities are classified as “Class 1 – Most Vulnerable”. Stats SA have improved the provincial index of multiple deprivation by adapting the global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) which “complements traditional income/expenditure-based poverty measures by capturing the severe deprivations that each person or household faces with respect to education, health and living standards” (Stats SA 2014b: 3 after OPHI 2014). The three dimensions and 10 indicators of the MPI are illustrated in Figure 2.24. Using the MPI as the foundation, Stats SA have created “a South African Multidimensional Poverty Index (SAMPI) to improve poverty measurement for the country and to align with the growing international trend towards measuring poverty beyond the traditional money-metric method” (Stats SA 2014b: 4). The dimensions, indicators and deprivation “cut-offs” i.e. the deprivation limits for the SAMPI are shown in Table 2.5.

33

Figure 2.23 KZN PGDS composite social needs (KZN Planning Commission 2011).

34

Figure 2.24 The three dimensions and 10 indicators of the MPI (OPHI 2014: website).

Table 2.5 The dimensions, indicators and deprivation “cut-offs” for SAMPI (Stats SA 2014b: 6).

Dimension Indicator Deprivation “cut-off”

Health Child mortality If any child under the age of 5 has died in the past 12 months

Education Years of schooling If no household member aged 15 or older has completed 5 years of schooling

School attendance If any school-aged child (aged 7 to 15) is out of school

Standard of living Fuel for lighting If household is using paraffin/candles/nothing/other

Fuel for heating If household is using paraffin/wood/coal/dung/other/none

Fuel for cooking If household is using paraffin/wood/coal/dung/other/none

Water access If no piped water in dwelling or on stand

Sanitation type If not a flush toilet

Dwelling type If an informal shack/traditional dwelling/caravan/tent/other

Asset ownership If household does not own more than one of radio, television, telephone or refrigerator and does not own a car

Economic activity Unemployment If all adults (aged 15 to 64) in the household are unemployed

It is shown in Table 2.5 that the indicators for water and sanitation are higher than that of the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) standards. Stats SA explains this difference as follows:

“…

Like the global MPI, the SAMPI also includes a water indicator but our deprivation

cut-off is narrower, focussing on those households with no access to piped water

in the dwelling or on their stand. There are those that may argue that this

indicator should be in line with the minimum standards as articulated by the

Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) – piped water within

35

200 metres. However, given that this was the short-term aim of the RDP and its

longer vision “is to provide every South African with accessible water and

sanitation” (The Reconstruction and Development Programme, paragraph 2.6.8),

we believe our cut-off is appropriate and better suited for long-term

measurement.

The SAMPI also has a narrower definition of deprivation when it comes to the

sanitation indicator – as in the case of water above, we believe this is in line with

the longer term goals of the RDP.”

(Stats SA 2014b: 6) The dimensions, indicators and their weights are illustrated in Table 2.6.

Table 2.6 The SAMPI dimensions, indicators and their weights (Stats SA 2014b: 8).

Dimension Indicator Weight

Health Child mortality 1/4

Education Years of schooling 1/8

School attendance 1/8

Standard of living Lighting 1/28

Heating 1/28

Cooking 1/28

Water 1/28

Sanitation 1/28

Dwelling 1/28

Assets 1/28

Economic activity Unemployment (all adults) 1/4

The SAMPI score is calculated as follows:

SAMPI = H x A

where

H = headcount which is “the proportion of households defined as multidimensionally poor using the poverty cut-off”. A = intensity of the poverty which is defined as “the average proportion of indicators in which poor households are deprived”.

(Stats SA 2014b: 9) The calculation of the SAMPI score is illustrated in Figure 2.25. The 2011 SAMPI score per ward is shown in Figure 2.26 and the 2001 and 2011 SAMPI scores per local municipality in Table 2.7.

36

Headcount (H)

Intensity (A)

SAMPI

Figure 2.25 Calculation of the SAMPI score.

37

Figure 2.26 2011 SAMPI score per ward (Stats SA 2014).

38

Table 2.7 Poverty measures for Census 2001 and Census 2011 at municipal level for Umgeni Water’s operational area (Stats SA 2014: 33).

Local Municipality Census 2001 Census 2011

Headcount (H) Intensity (A) SAMPI (H x A) Headcount (H) Intensity (A) SAMPI (H x A)

Vulamehlo 36,2% 42,3% 0,15 29,0% 41,2% 0,12

Maphumulo 43,5% 42,7% 0,19 25,4% 40,6% 0,10

Umzumbe 36,4% 42,4% 0,15 22,8% 41,2% 0,09

Umzimkhulu 40,0% 43,4% 0,17 22,2% 42,2% 0,09

Ubuhlebezwe 35,0% 43,3% 0,15 21,7% 41,5% 0,09

Ndwedwe 34,7% 42,4% 0,15 21,6% 41,0% 0,09

Ingwe 39,2% 43,0% 0,17 21,4% 41,3% 0,09

uMuziwabantu 37,7% 42,3% 0,16 17,4% 41,5% 0,07

Ezingoleni 32,0% 42,2% 0,14 15,0% 41,0% 0,06

Umdoni 19,3% 45,7% 0,09 13,8% 43,8% 0,06

Mkhambathini 23,3% 42,1% 0,10 14,8% 40,7% 0,06

Impendle 28,0% 43,1% 0,12 14,2% 41,3% 0,06

Richmond 26,2% 42,4% 0,11 13,0% 39,9% 0,05

KwaSani 21,0% 40,2% 0,08 10,9% 40,8% 0,04

Mpofana 21,8% 44,5% 0,10 10,8% 40,9% 0,04

uMshwathi 23,3% 41,4% 0,10 10,6% 40,3% 0,04

Greater Kokstad 29,7% 42,6% 0,13 9,3% 42,9% 0,04

Mandeni 17,9% 43,1% 0,08 8,8% 41,2% 0,04

KwaDukuza 19,3% 42,6% 0,08 8,6% 41,2% 0,04

Hibiscus Coast 17,0% 43,2% 0,07 8,0% 41,8% 0,03

eThekwini 14,8% 45,5% 0,07 6,6% 42,8% 0,03

The Msunduzi 13,8% 44,4% 0,06 5,9% 42,5% 0,02

uMngeni 11,2% 41,4% 0,05 5,7% 43,4% 0,02

KwaZulu-Natal 22,3% 43,9% 0,10 10,9% 42,0% 0,05

The contribution of the weighted indicators to SAMPI 2011 in KwaZulu-Natal is shown in Figure 2.27. It is shown that sanitation is the third largest contributor at 8%, and water and heating joint fourth largest contributor at 7%. The distribution of the largest three weighted indicators to SAMPI 2011 per ward is shown in Figure 2.28.

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Figure 2.27 Contribution of weighted indicators to SAMPI 2011 in KwaZulu-Natal (Stats SA 2014b: 32).

Contributor to Poverty

Second Largest Contributor to Poverty

Third Largest Contributor to Poverty

Figure 2.28 Distribution of largest three weighted indicators to SAMPI 2011 per ward (Stats SA 2014).

Similar to KwaZulu-Natal, sanitation (shown in red in Figure 2.28) is the third largest contributor to poverty in Umgeni Water’s operational area.

40

The total number of households with access to piped water, as per the Census 2011, is shown in Figure 2.29 per WSA. The total number of people with access to piped water per local municipality is illustrated in Figure 2.30. A proxy using the Census 2011 and EKZN-W’s land cover (2011) shows the spatial distribution in Figure 2.31. eThekwini Municipality is the predominant contributor of people to Umgeni Water’s operational area at 55% (Figure 2.10) and has the largest number of people with access to piped water inside their dwellings (Figure 2.29) as well as with all the other categories of access to piped water. However, Figure 2.30 also shows that the local municipalities with the second largest number of people per category are:

No access to piped water – Umzimkhulu Municipality.

Piped water on community stand greater than 1km – Umzumbe Municipality.

Piped water on community stand between 500m and 1km – Umzumbe Municipality.

Piped water on community stand between 200m and 500m – Hibiscus Coast Municipality.

Piped water on community stand less than 200m – Hibiscus Coast Municipality.

Piped water inside yard – Msunduzi Municipality.

Piped water inside dwelling – Msunduzi Municipality.

However, the trend of eThekwini Municipality being the predominant contributor changes slightly for the source of water. The source of water for each household is shown in Figure 2.32 and the source of water for each person in Figure 2.33. A proxy using the Census 2011 and EKZN-W’s land cover (2011) shows the spatial distribution in Figure 2.34. It is shown in Figure 2.33 that Ingwe Municipality has the largest number of people who have a “spring” as their source of water, with Umzimkhulu Municipality having the second largest number of people using a “spring”. Umzimkhulu Municipality has the largest number of people who have a “river/stream” as their source of water, with Maphumulo Municipality having the second largest number of people using a “river/stream” (Figure 2.33). The statistics for Maphumulo Municipality will need to be monitored as the Maphumulo Bulk Water Supply Scheme (see Section 7.7.5) has been implemented and therefore the number of people accessing their water from a scheme should increase with a corresponding decrease in the number of people using a river/stream. It is shown in Figure 2.33 that eThekwini Municipality dominated the remaining categories. The local municipalities with the second largest number of people per category are:

Regional/local scheme – Msunduzi Municipality.

Borehole – uBuhlebezwe Municipality.

Rain water tank – Umzimkhulu Municipality.

Dam/pool/stagnant water – Msunduzi Municipality.

Water vendor – Msunduzi Municipality.

Water tanker – Msunduzi Municipality. The total number of households with access to toilet facilities is shown in Figure 2.35.

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Figure 2.29 Number of households with access to piped water (Census 2011).

eThekwini Ugu Msunduzi Umgungundlovu Harry Gwala Ilembe

No access to piped (tap) water 26 814 29 827 6 403 17 886 39 104 30 178

Piped (tap) water on community stand: distance greater than1000m (1km) from dwelling/institution

6 652 5 081 965 830 1 792 2 041

Piped (tap) water on community stand: distance between 500mand 1000m (1km) from dwelling /institution

11 260 8 823 2 250 1 636 2 857 4 894

Piped (tap) water on community stand: distance between 200mand 500m from dwelling/institution

26 051 17 482 3 091 3 542 8 144 11 420

Piped (tap) water on community stand: distance less than 200mfrom dwelling/institution

113 910 56 539 9 335 13 230 23 656 39 529

Piped (tap) water inside yard 196 265 17 477 63 323 33 680 20 213 32 212

Piped (tap) water inside dwelling/institution 575 760 44 215 78 626 37 870 16 515 37 418

0

100 000

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300 000

400 000

500 000

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700 000

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Figure 2.30 Cartogram showing number of people with access to piped water (Census 2011).

43

Figure 2.31 Proxy showing access to piped water (after Census 2011 and EKZN-W 2011).

44

Figure 2.32 Number of households by source of water (Census 2011).


Other 26 725 3 680 3 894 2 835 1 818 4 239

Water tanker 20 166 6 450 3 875 8 676 4 382 4 011

Water vendor 14 178 3 448 1 773 1 744 859 1 878

River/stream 4 444 24 333 1 018 12 371 28 601 27 024

Dam/pool/stagnant water 4 848 4 913 1 796 7 092 4 358 3 209

Rain water tank 3 089 2 359 1 101 1 547 2 577 2 630

Spring 3 260 3 554 1 517 4 924 16 067 4 674

Borehole 14 510 7 644 1 998 12 853 11 131 11 231

Regional/local water scheme (operated by municipality or otherwater services provider)

865 493 123 059 147 021 56 630 42 487 98 796

0

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Figure 2.33 Cartogram showing number of people by source of water (Census 2011).

46 Figure 2.34 Proxy showing source of water (after Census 2011 and EKZN-W 2011).

47


None 20 256 8 396 3 316 5 077 3 529 9 190

Other 28 534 11 793 4 436 4 223 5 685 4 702

Bucket toilet 25 758 3 124 1 585 764 1 051 2 233

Pit toilet without ventilation 108 206 62 134 27 607 22 777 46 423 42 047

Pit toilet with ventilation (VIP) 49 922 32 886 28 344 26 479 26 417 31 699

Chemical toilet 70 879 15 281 5 489 7 833 5 991 26 202

Flush toilet (with septic tank) 47 006 13 181 8 540 11 653 3 419 6 088

Flush toilet (connected to sewerage system) 606 152 32 648 84 674 29 870 19 769 35 530

0

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Figure 2.35 Number of households with access to toilet facilities (Census 2011).

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2.5 Development Plans Proposed developments from both the private and public sector (as received by KZN CoGTA) are shown in Figure 2.38. This figure shows that the proposed developments are predominantly located along the N3-N2 T-Junction. This figure shows possible new water demands from a market-driven perspective. From a formal planning perspective, the National Development Plan (adopted in 2011) identified 17 Strategic Integrated Projects (SIPs). The National Infrastructure Plan (2012) elaborates on these SIPs and added an additional SIP viz. SIP 18, Water and Sanitation. The National Water Resources Strategy Second Edition (NWRS2) responds to the National Development Plan and “outlines the strategy for protecting, using, developing, conserving, managing and controlling South Africa’s scarce water resources towards achieving the 2030 Vision” (DWS 2013: 1). The NWRS2 therefore responds directly to SIP 18. The 18 SIPs and those which are applicable to KZN are illustrated in Table 2.8.

Table 2.8 Strategic Integrated Projects applicable to KZN (KZN Planning Commission 2013).

SIP No. Strategic Integrated Project KZN

1 Unlocking the Northern Mineral Belt with Waterberg as a Catalyst

2 Durban - Free State - Gauteng Logistics and Industrial Corridor Yes

3 South Eastern Node and Corridor Development 4 Unlock the Economic Opportunities in the North West Province 5 Saldanha - Northern Cape Development Corridor 6 Integrated Municipal Infrastructure Project Yes

7 Integrated Urban Space and Public Transport Programme Yes

8 Green Economy in Support of the South Africa Economy Yes

9 Electricity Generation to Support Socio-Economic Development Yes

10 Electricity Transmission and Distribution for All Yes

11 Agri-Logistics and Rural Infrastructure Yes

12 Revitalisation of Public Hospitals and other Health Facilities Yes

13 National School Build Programme Yes

14 Higher Education Infrastructure Yes

15 Expanding Access to Communication Technology Yes

16 SKA and Meerkat 17 Regional Integration for African Co-operation and Development 18 Water and Sanitation Yes

Note: SIPs 2, 6 and 18 influence Umgeni Water’s planning.

The KZN Provincial Growth and Development Strategy (PGDS) 2011 identified seven Strategic Goals and 30 Strategic Objectives. The seven Strategic Goals are:

1. Job Creation 2. Human Resource Development 3. Human and Community Development 4. Strategic Infrastructure 5. Response to Climate Change 6. Governance and Policy 7. Spatial Equity

(KZN Planning Commission 2011: 78)

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Umgeni Water contributes directly to Strategic Objective 4.5 Improve Water Resource Management and Supply in the KZN Provincial Growth and Development Plan (PGDP 2014) and Outcome 6: An efficient, competitive and responsive economic infrastructure network and the Sub-Outcome 4: Maintenance and supply of our bulk water resources ensured in the NDP. It is noted that the 2012 PGDP was reviewed and a 2014 KZN PGDP was adopted in August 2014. The development of the “KZN Provincial Infrastructure Master Plan” has been initiated to facilitate the achievement of the PGDP Strategic Goal 4: Strategic Infrastructure. The KZN Planning Commission explains as follows:

“The KZN Department of Public Works, through the Provincial Infrastructure Coordination Workgroup and with the support of the Provincial Planning Commission has been tasked to develop the KZN Provincial Infrastructure Master Plan. The objective of this Master Plan is to ensure that strategic infrastructure is developed to support the successful implementation of the PGDP. The Master Plan will provide a technical platform for the spatial alignment, time-line programming and budgetary alignment of the respective infrastructure components. This will promote effective, efficient and economical provision of both economic (productive) and social (redistributive) infrastructure services. Key outcomes of this will be:

Identification of critical infrastructure gaps and the quantification of resource constraints required to bridge these gaps

Prioritised projects with both long-term planning as well as approved short term MTEF budgets.

The Master Plan will be aligned with and respond essentially to the Strategic Integrated Projects (SIPs) of the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission and the KZN Provincial Growth and Development Plan (PGDP) as well as other pertinent planning processes. Infrastructure Delivery Management System (IDMS) The Infrastructure Delivery Management System (IDMS) is the model that describes the processes that make up public sector delivery and procurement management as it applies to the construction industry. The model reflects the diverse needs of the construction industry, in responding to the demands placed on it for the delivery of infrastructure and tangible assets for South Africa. It outlines the core processes associated with the model for delivery and procurement management where the project delivery processes relate to the provision of infrastructure works. The PICC has endorsed the IDMS as the methodology to supports its infrastructure drive. National Treasury and Provincial Treasury are currently coordinating and assisting with the implementation and institutionalisation of the IDMS for the Provincial Departments of Health, Education and Public Works initially. Provincial Treasury shall also provide support in institutionalisation of IDMS to all Provincial Departments in KwaZulu-Natal and support implementation of IDMS at eThekwini Municipality through the National Treasury’s Municipal IDMS implementation pilot and then roll IDMS out to Local Government.”

(KZN Planning Commission 2014: 91)

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Umgeni Water is part of the KZN Provincial Infrastructure Coordination Workgroup. The KZN Planning Commission summarises the implementation framework for the KZN PGDP in the “PGDP Quick Start Operations Manual” (2014). The overall institutional framework is shown in Figure 2.36 and the roles and functions in the PGDP implementation in Figure 2.37. The responsibility matrix is shown in Table 2.9. Umgeni Water is a member of Action Work Group (AWG) 14 which is convened by KZN CoGTA as shown in Table 2.8.

Figure 2.36 Institutional framework for the KZN PGDP (KZN Planning Commission 2014b: 9).

Figure 2.37 Roles and functions in the KZN PGDP implementation (KZN Planning Commission 2014b: 11).

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Table 2.9 Responsibility matrix for the KZN PGDP (KZN Planning Commission 2014b: 11 - 12).

Responsible Technical

Cluster

Receives Reports from Strategic

Objective Action Work Group

Number (SO AWG)

Strategic Objective Action Work Group

(SO AWG) Convening

Department

Responsible for Strategic Objectives (SO)

ESID 1 DARD 1.1 Unleash agricultural potential

2 DEDTEA 1.2 Enhance sectoral development through trade and investment

3 DPW 1.3 Improve efficiency of government-led job creation programmes

4 DEDTEA 1.4 Develop SMME and entrepreneurial development

5 DEDTEA 1.5 Development the knowledge base to enhance the knowledge economy

12 DoT 4.1 Develop harbours

12 DoT 4.2 Develop airports

12 DoT 4.3 Develop road and rail networks

13 DEDTEA 4.4 Develop Information and Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure

14 CoGTA 4.5 Improve water resource management and supply

14 CoGTA 4.6 Improve energy production and supply

15 DEDTEA 5.2 Advance alternative energy generation and reduce reliance on fossil fuels

16 DEDTEA 5.1 Increase productive use of land

16 DEDTEA 5.3 Manage pressures on biodiversity

16 DEDTEA 5.4 Mitigation and adaptation to climate change

G&A 17 OTP 6.1 Strengthen policy and strategy coordination and IGR

17 OTP 6.2 Build government capacity

17 OTP 6.3 Eradicate fraud and corruption

17 OTP 6.4 Promote participative, facilitative and accountable governance

18 CoGTA 7.1 Actively promote spatial concentration and co-ordination of development interventions

18 CoGTA 7.2 Facilitate integrated land management and spatial planning

JCPS 9 DCSL 3.5 Enhance safety and security

SPCHD 6 DoE 2.1 Improve early childhood development, primary and secondary education

7 OTP 2.2 Support skills alignment to economic growth

7 OTP 2.3 Enhance youth skills develop and life-long learning

8 DSD 3.1 Poverty eradication and social welfare

10 DOH 3.2 Enhance health of communications and citizens

8 DSD 3.3 Enhance sustainable household food security in KZN

11 DHS 3.4 Develop sustainable human settlements

8 DSD 3.6 Advance social capital

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Umgeni Water’s infrastructure in relation to the KZN Provincial SDF (developed as part of the KZN PGDS) is illustrated in Figure 2.39. It is shown that Umgeni Water’s existing infrastructure is predominantly located in those areas identified as “economic support areas” and “economic value adding areas”. The Ngcebo Bulk Water Supply Scheme (located on the upper north-west boundary of Ilembe WSA) is located in a “social investment area”. The KZN Provincial Spatial Economic Development Strategy (PSEDS) developed in 2006, guided development in the province at a strategic level until the release of the KZN PGDS 2011. The KZN PSEDS informed the KZN PGDS 2011 and as it occurs at a more detailed level than the KZN PGDS, it will now be updated to be completely aligned with the KZN PGDS 2011. The nodes as identified in the KZN PGDS 2011 are the same as the nodes identified in the KZN PSEDS. Umgeni Water’s infrastructure in relation to KZN PSEDS and the “priority intervention areas” identified by the KZN PGDS is shown in Figure 2.40. It is shown that Umgeni Water’s infrastructure is located predominantly within the identified nodes. Figure 2.41 shows that majority of proposed developments align with the proposed nodes as identified in the KZN PGDS 2011 and the KZN PSEDS. However, a comparison between Figure 2.38 and Figure 2.39 shows that there are conflicts in certain areas between the desired land use as identified in the KZN PGDS 2011 and the land use as proposed in the development applications. The municipal Spatial Development Frameworks (SDFs) are shown in Figure 2.42. The alignment between the municipal SDFs, the proposed developments and the KZN PGDS identified priority intervention areas are illustrated in Figure 2.43. These figures shown that the proposed developments are occurring in the nodes identified by the municipalities and that the municipalities have identified development nodes and corridors for the priority intervention areas. Umgeni Water should therefore target the identified nodes and corridors in the provision of new bulk water infrastructure, as these are the areas that both the public and private sector will be investing in. This means that there will be a higher probability of return-on-investment.

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Figure 2.38 Proposed development applications (2013 - 2014) (KZN CoGTA AFS 2014).

54

Figure 2.39 KZN Provincial Spatial Development Framework (KZN Planning Commission 2011).

55

Figure 2.40 PSEDS nodes and priority intervention areas (KZN Planning Commission 2011).

56

Figure 2.41 Alignment between the PSEDS and proposed developments (2013 – 2014).

57

Figure 2.42 Municipal SDFs.

58

Figure 2.43 Alignment between municipal SDFs, proposed developments and identified priority intervention areas.

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2.6 Regional Water Planning Overview As shown in the previous section, the municipalities of eThekwini and Umgungundlovu are the two main economic contributors within KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). This economic activity is dominated by the two cities of Durban and Pietermaritzburg. With reference to Figure 2.39 and Figure 2.40, the Provincial Growth and Development Strategy (PGDS) (KZN Provincial Planning Commission 2011) identifies eThekwini Municipality as a Primary Node within KZN, which is an urban centre with very high existing economic growth and with the potential for expansion and is of national and provincial economic importance. It is the only Primary Node in the province. Pietermaritzburg has been identified in the PGDS as a Secondary Node within KZN, which is an urban centre with good existing economic development and the potential for growth and services to the regional economy. It is one of four such nodes in the province. These two centres and the development corridor between them is the economic hub of the province (Figure 2.32). Richards Bay on the North Coast, as the second busiest port in KZN and the third largest contributor to the provincial economy, is also classified as a Secondary Node. The corridor between Durban and Richards Bay is also considered to be of economic importance where significant development is expected to occur in the future, particularly in the area surrounding the Dube Trade Port and King Shaka International Airport. Port Shepstone is also classified as a Secondary Node, and the corridor between it and Durban is experiencing steady growth and has potential for further economic development. This key KZN developmental region (T-shaped) defined by primary and secondary nodes and corridors falls largely within Umgeni Water’s area of operation. The primary, secondary and tertiary development nodes are indicated as circles in Figure 2.40 with the size proportional to its hierarchical level of importance. The KwaZulu-Natal Reconciliation Strategy Study that was completed by the Department of Water and Sanitation2 (DWAF 2009) termed this region “the KwaZulu-Natal Coastal Metropolitan Area”. In order to maintain its significance, and realise its future growth potential, this region needs to be supported by a sustainable long-term supply of water. The responsibility for the planning, constructing and operating of the required water resource and water supply infrastructure rests with the Department of Water and Sanitation, Umgeni Water and the relevant Water Services Authorities. The roles and responsibilities of these institutions in this regard vary, with some overlap in certain instances.

2 At the time the study was published, the department was called the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF).

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Figure 2.44 Current bulk water supply strategy.

With reference to Figure 2.44, the major sources of water to supply the KwaZulu-Natal Coastal Metropolitan Area are as follows:

1. Water is abstracted from Nagle Dam on the uMngeni River to supply primarily the northern and central parts, and to a lesser extent the western part, of eThekwini Municipality. Raw water storage for this abstraction is provided at Albert Falls Dam, and can be supported by Midmar Dam situated upstream;

2. Water is abstracted from Inanda Dam on the uMngeni River to supply primarily the central and southern parts, and to a lesser extent the northern part, of eThekwini Municipality and the southern coastal strip as far south as Scottburgh within Ugu District Municipality. Raw water storage for this abstraction is provided at Inanda Dam, and can be supported by Albert Falls and Midmar dams upstream;

3. Water is abstracted from Midmar Dam on the uMngeni River to supply the Msunduzi Local Municipality (Pietermaritzburg), the western part of the eThekwini Municipality and the connecting corridor, which is within Umgungundlovu District Municipality;

4. Water is released from Spring Grove Dam and is abstracted at the Mearns Weir on the Mooi River and transferred into Midmar Dam to support all abstractions from the uMngeni River. This water is transferred on an irregular basis whenever there is sufficient flow available in the Mooi River and when additional water is required in the uMngeni River; and

5. Water is abstracted from Hazelmere Dam on the uMdloti River to supply the northern part of eThekwini Municipality and the northern coastal strip of Ilembe District Municipality as far north as the town of KwaDukuza.

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From a planning perspective, water from the Mgeni system is required to be supplied at a 99% level of assurance (i.e. a 1:100 year risk of failure) due to the economic and strategic significance (based on the industrial and commercial output) of the greater eThekwini-Msunduzi region. A 98% level of assurance (i.e. a 1:50 year risk of failure) is currently required for the supply from the Mdloti system and for the South Coast as these regions are predominantly of a domestic nature. A holistic view of the projected water demands from the entire Mgeni system is shown in Figure 2.45 together with the existing yield (at a 99% level of assurance) available from the system. This yield includes the maximum additional support that it can obtain from the Mooi River. Since the demand exceeds the available yield, the system is currently in deficit with a worsening situation predicted into the future. This deficit means that water is being supplied at a lower level of assurance than is required and therefore the risk of a shortfall being experienced has increased. This risk increases as the size of the deficit increases.

Figure 2.45 Mgeni System - Existing Water Balance

Similarly, Figure 2.46 illustrates a holistic view of the projected water demands from the entire Mdloti system together with the existing yield (at a 98% level of assurance) available from the system. The KwaZulu-Natal Reconciliation Strategy Study (DWAF 2009) concluded in 2009 that: “…the whole study area is running a risk of water shortages soon. This near crisis situation is masked by recent good rainfall which kept dams full. It is not possible to lower this risk with water resource development projects in the short term. As a result immediate water management measures as well as urgent resource extension investigations are required. “ The low rainfall experienced in 2014 and the deficit between demand and available water, in the system, resulted in the Hazelmere Dam not being able to replenish to substantive levels. The dam

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reached a low of 34% in January 2015 and level 3 restrictions have been implemented in the Hazelmere Supply System Area.

Figure 2.46 Mdloti System – Existing Water Balance.

Water Demand Management (WDM) initiatives are the quickest measure to implement and have the effect of lowering the demand curve and thereby either reducing the deficit or by delaying the need to implement other measures. However, the extent of the success to be achieved through the implementation of WDM initiatives is very difficult to predict accurately beforehand, and once achieved is difficult to maintain, unless it is constantly monitored and managed. Nevertheless, the eThekwini Municipality has, in the past, implemented a wide range of WDM initiatives and these had a marked impact on the demand requirements from the Mgeni system. This is clearly evident in the downturn in the demand curve in Figure 2.45. The other municipalities within the KwaZulu-Natal Coastal Metropolitan Area have also embarked on their own WDM initiatives in an attempt to slow growth in water demand and thereby reduce their risk of non-supply. Notwithstanding these initiatives, it is evident in both Figure 2.45 and Figure 2.46 that the long-term projection still anticipates a growth in water demand for the region where economic development and improved levels of water service will outweigh any savings achieved through the WDM initiatives. Hence, further water resource augmentation measures still need to be considered. A significant infrastructure development project is currently underway which will create an important modification to the current bulk water supply strategy:

eThekwini Municipality are in the process of constructing the Western Aqueduct, which will

extend the existing pipeline system that runs from Midmar Dam to the western area of

eThekwini such that it will also be able to supply parts of the central and northern areas of

the municipality. The capacity of this conveyance system is also being increased to cater for

additional volumes in the future (Arrow 3 in Figure 2.47);

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Figure 2.47 Future bulk water supply strategy.

The identified feasible surface water options available to augment the water resources to supply the KwaZulu-Natal Coastal Metropolitan Area are as follows:

Implementation of Phase 2 of the Mooi-Mgeni Transfer Scheme. Phase 2A of this scheme

was commissioned in November 2013 and consists of Spring Grove Dam on the Mooi River

upstream of Mearns Weir. Phase 2B of this scheme is a new raw water transfer pipeline

from the dam to the Mgeni catchment and construction will be complete towards the end of

2015. This will enable a continuous transfer of water to be made throughout the year at an

increase flow rate, and will thereby increase the yield (99% assurance) of the Mgeni system

by an additional 164 Ml/day. The Mooi River will then be fully utilised and no additional

water is available for transfer to the Mgeni catchment (Arrow 6 in Figure 2.47);

Transfer water from the adjacent uMkhomazi River into the Mgeni catchment. An inter-

basin transfer scheme, known as the uMkhomazi Water Project, is current being investigated

that will entail the construction of two dams on the river, viz. Smithfield Dam (Phase 1) and

Impendle Dam (Phase 2), a new Water Treatment Plant, and a conveyance system of a

tunnel and pipelines. Potable water can then be added into the conveyance system from

Midmar Dam that supplies the eThekwini area (western, central and northern). Supply

would be primarily under gravity and pre-feasibility indications are that the yield (99%

assurance) obtainable from Phase 1 is approximately 600 Ml/day (Arrow 7 in Figure 2.47);

The Department of Water and Sanitation is implementing a project to raise the embankment

of Hazelmere Dam by 7m. This will increase the yield (98% assurance) that can be supplied to

64

the northern part of eThekwini Municipality and the northern coastal strip by an additional

25 Ml/day excluding Reserve requirements (Arrow 5 in Figure 2.47);

Water will be abstracted from the lower reaches of the uThukela River near Mandini to

supply the north coast economic corridor, particularly the fast developing area to the south

of the uThukela River. A maximum of 110 Ml/day is available for abstraction. This supply will

be linked to the supply system from Hazelmere Dam on the uMdloti River to create an

integrated system. It would alleviate the need for Hazelmere Dam to supply the northern

demands of KwaDukuza and enable it to satisfy increasing local demands. (Arrow 8 in

Figure 2.47);

A dam can be developed on the uMvoti River to link into the supply system from Hazelmere

Dam (and the uThukela River). Earlier studies indicated that a supply of approximately

127 Ml/day (98% assurance) could be available from this scheme (Arrow 9 in Figure 2.47);

Water can be abstracted from the lower reaches of the uMkhomazi River and linked into the

existing pipeline system to supply a large portion of the south coast economic corridor.

Water could be supplied northwards to the southern area of eThekwini Municipality and

southwards to the northern areas of Ugu Municipality. Reliance on the Mgeni system (2) to

supply this area could then be removed. The south coast supply system could be extended to

link into the supply from the Mzimkulu River to create an integrated system. Available yield

from this option still needs to be determined (Arrow 10 in Figure 2.47).

The identified wastewater reuse options available to augment the water resources to supply the KwaZulu-Natal Coastal Metropolitan Area are as follows:

eThekwini Municipality have identified their Northern Wastewater Works (WWW) and

KwaMashu WWW as potential sites for reclamation plants. These WWWs are both situated

within the northern part of the municipality, and their intention is to treat the effluent back

to potable standards on site and feed it directly into the local bulk supply network. These

reclamation plants are expected to jointly be able to augment the system by approximately

110 Ml/day (Point A in Figure 2.47); and

Treated effluent from the Darvill WWW in Pietermaritzburg (Arrow B in Figure 2.47) can be

reclaimed back to potable water standards and fed into the bulk pipeline system (Arrow 3 in

Figure 2.47) that runs from Midmar Dam through to the western and northern parts of

eThekwini Municipality. The high capital costs of this scheme added to the fact that no

additional water will be created in the system (Darvill waste water currently flows down to

Inanda Dam) means that this project has been removed from Umgeni Waters CAPEX and is

unlikely to ever be realised.

Two seawater desalination options have been identified at Points C and D in Figure 2.47. These options would be able to augment the water resources to supply the KwaZulu-Natal Coastal Metropolitan Area and are described as follows:

A desalination plant situated in the vicinity of the uMdloti River Estuary to the north of the

city of Durban. Potable water could be fed into the local bulk supply network to augment the

northern part of eThekwini Municipality as well as into the bulk supply network running

northwards from Hazelmere Dam (5) into the iLembe District Municipality. It is estimated

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that the maximum volume that these bulk networks can accommodate (based on pipeline

capacities) is in the order of 150 Ml/day; and

A desalination plant in the vicinity of the Lovu River Estuary to the south of the city of

Durban. Potable water could be fed into the local bulk supply network to augment the

southern part of eThekwini Municipality as well as into the bulk supply network running

southwards from Inanda Dam (2) into the Ugu District Municipality. It is estimated that the

maximum volume that these bulk networks can accommodate (based on pipeline capacities)

is in the order of 150 Ml/day.

The time it takes to commission any of the options listed above becomes important if the existing and looming supply deficits, as shown in Figure 2.45 and Figure 2.46, are to be adequately addressed. Further to this, there is a spatial context to each option. The importance of developing any specific option is also linked to its area of supply and the rate at which the water demands in that specific area is predicted to increase. Phase 2A of the Mooi-Mgeni Transfer Scheme was commissioned in November 2013, while Phase 2B is expected to be completed towards the end of 2015. This will maximize the benefits obtained from the Mooi River to support the entire Mgeni system. As can be seen in Figure 2.48, the augmented total yield available at a 99% assurance level is below the demand (as projected) at the time of commissioning of Phase 2B and hence a deficit will remain in the system.

Figure 2.48 Mgeni System Water Balance with MMTS-2.

Of all the remaining options for the Mgeni system, the uMkhomazi Water Project (7) can provide the largest contribution and has the ability to meet the long-term requirements of the eThekwini region, particularly making use of the new Western Aqueduct infrastructure (3) which is scheduled to be completed in 2018. This option would relieve the demands placed on other Mgeni abstraction points (1) (2) (4) (6) such that the entire Mgeni system needs would be met. However, the earliest date for the commissioning of Phase 1 of this project is estimated to be 2023, whilst a more realistic date is

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likely to be around 2030. With either of these dates a deficit still exists in the system that needs to be met by one or more of the other options. The reuse (A) (B) and seawater desalination (C) (D) options, are relatively quick to implement and can be commissioned as early as 2017 if required, and if all legislative environment requirements can be met. None of these options would be able to make as significant a contribution as the uMkhomazi Water Project, and other than the Darvill reuse option (B), they are all only capable of supplying the coastal strip. Hence, whilst the uMkhomazi Water Project can possibly be delayed by implementation of one or more of these options, it will still ultimately be required. Looking ahead, the choice of which option to implement, and by when, is going to have to be determined by both environmental (specifically public) acceptance and by economic benefit (taking into account capital and operational costs and service life). However, these may well be overridden by an urgency to augment the system by the quickest option possible if severe and prolonged drought conditions occur in the near future. For the North Coast, the raising of the embankment of Hazelmere Dam (5) is expected to be completed by the end of 2017. The construction of this project will commence in 2015. This is considered adequate to meet the short-term water resource requirements of the Mdloti System (DWS have agreed not to impose the Reserve requirements from the dam until such time as further water resources have been developed in the northern region to augment the system). Umgeni Water is currently constructing the Lower Thukela Bulk Water Supply Scheme (8). The first phase of this project, which will augment the Mdloti system by 55 Ml/day, is expected to be fully commissioned towards the middle of 2016. The commissioning of the other 55 Ml/day that is available from this scheme can be achieved at relatively short notice thereafter, when required. Thus, with the timely implementation of these two options plus the potential to further augment the Mdloti system from the Northern Seawater Desalination Plant (C), if it is constructed, the requirements of northern coastal region should be adequately addressed in the medium to long-term. For the South Coast, the choice between implementing the Lower uMkhomazi Bulk Water Supply Scheme (10) and the Southern Seawater Desalination Plant (D) will depend largely on the time required to commissioning, environmental (specifically public) acceptance and the economic benefits (taking into account capital and operational costs and service life). At this stage, insufficient detail is known on both of these options to be able to make this choice. Detailed feasibility investigations of these options are due to be completed in 2015 and 2016 respectively. Implementation of the favoured option is likely to commence immediately after the completion of the feasibility investigations.

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2.7 Water Supply outside of Umgeni Water’s

operational area The DWS explains in the NWRS2 that:

“While most water boards in South Africa have been established for pragmatic reasons, and many have a history of good performance by both local and international standards, the following are good reasons for change:

Weak performance in the management of water supply and sanitation services by

many municipalities, which compromises services.

Unclear responsibilities for water resources development at the local and

regional level, and for regional bulk services outside of the existing water board

service areas.

Governance and performance-related problems within some of the existing water

boards.

These problems are compounded by the municipalities having to report to DCoG and the water boards to the DWS. Consideration is being given to the consolidation of existing water boards into Regional Water Utilities to manage regional water resources and regional bulk water and wastewater infrastructure in terms of a mandate from the DWS. This strategy would provide a rational basis for determining the number of Regional Water Utilities that should exist and the area of jurisdiction that they should serve in order to achieve optimum economies of scale. Economies of scale will enable Regional Water Utilities to provide improved support to rural municipalities and to better deploy their limited financial and technical resources across disadvantaged areas. Economies of scale will also reduce the number of institutions that the Minister has to regulate and oversee.”

(DWS 2013: 59 – 60) This is identified as “Intervention 4.5.b: Rationalise and extend water board jurisdiction” in the KZN PGDP (2014) and the KZN Planning Commission summarises as follows:

“The Department of Water and Sanitation provides the policy and support function to Water Services Authorities (WSAs) in terms of Water Resources development, while water provision is the responsibility of the WSAs. A number of WSAs face challenges to secure the required technical capacity especially to deal with water services planning and bulk water supply. As a result, service delivery is delayed. The water board re-alignment is intended to ensure that technical capacity, to support WSAs especially on the regional bulk water supply schemes, is available. Institutional alignment between water resources availability, bulk infrastructure development and water reticulation is one of the approaches being adopted to ensure service delivery efficiency.”

(KZN Planning Commission 2014: 111) The WSAs for whom Umgeni Water is the Bulk Water Services Provider (BWSP) are shown in Figure 2.1. These are six of the 14 WSAs occurring in KZN (Figure 2.49).

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Figure 2.49 KZN WSAs.

There are two water boards in KZN (the gazetted area and not the WSAs for whom the water boards are BWSPs) are shown in Figure 2.50, and one former municipal entity providing bulk water (Figure 2.51).

Figure 2.50 KZN water boards.

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Figure 2.51 Former municipal entity providing bulk water and sanitation services (uThukela Water is in the process of being disestablished).

The Minister of Water and Sanitation and the KZN province have proposed that Umgeni Water becomes the BWSP for Umzinyathi WSA, Amajuba WSA, Newcastle WSA and uThukela WSA (shown with the red hatching in Figure 2.52). The Minister of Water and Sanitation has further proposed that Umgeni Water becomes the BWSP for the Alfred Nzo WSA and the Ngquza Hill Local Municipality, which is located within the O.R. Tambo WSA (shown with the red hatching in Figure 2.52).

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Figure 2.52 DWS proposed WSAs and local municipality for whom Umgeni Water should be BWSP.

As part of AWG 14 (Table 2.9), Umgeni Water was tasked to project manage a study to develop a Universal Access Plan (UAP) for water delivery in KwaZulu-Natal. The objectives of this study were:

The development of continuous water supply footprint areas showing demographics, current

and required levels of water service, and importantly any gaps in water service delivery to the

households in KZN;

The provision of conceptual plans of regional or stand-alone schemes to supply water;

In areas where regional schemes are not viable or where an interim water supply is needed to

meet intermediate deadlines, a local scheme is recommended; and

An indication of costing and implementation timing to address water backlogs.

A summary of the findings of Phase 1 of this study is shown in Table 2.10.

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Table 2.10 Summary of UAP water backlogs and proposed schemes (for implementation by 2020) in KZN.

District Municipality

Backlog (households)

Backlog (%) Number of proposed schemes

Cost (R) MWIG 2014

Harry Gwala 28281 27 103 R 1 160 000 000 R 3 725 626 814

Umzinyathi 15097 18 84 R 347 000 000 R 1 778 176 784

uThungulu 15281 17 29 R 813 000 000 R 5 947 359 627

Umgungundlovu 8512 4 30 R 224 000 000 R 4 073 582 259

Ilembe 12047 11 49 R 307 000 000 R 4 251 330 305

Amajuba 23914 79 R 927 022 000 R 1 057 401 792

Zululand 44473 589 R 4 797 718 000 R 3 134 658 799

Ugu 16540 59 R 1 415 983 000 R 5 889 576 950

Umkhanyakude 36439 134 R 5 360 104 000 R 4 076 737 351

uThukela 96113 232 R 4 968 799 000 R 2 704 212 440

Total 296697 1388 R 20 320 626 000 R 36 638 663 121

The initial UAP project focused on short term water solutions to allow all areas to be served with water. Many of the schemes identified are small water supply schemes such as boreholes or small run of river schemes. Umgeni Water is extending this project to identify long term options for bulk water provision to each municipality. This project will be completed in 2015/2016 and conceptual plans will, thereafter, be available to the municipalities. Note: The IMP 2015 does not include an analysis of the resources and supply situation within Umgeni Water’s proposed extended area, nor does it include any proposed infrastructure master plan for this area. These will be included in later versions once official gazetting of the revised boundaries has been concluded.

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3. DEMAND FORECASTS

This section documents Umgeni Water’s water demand forecast review that was completed in September 2014. The review process:

Reviewed the figures for the financial year ending in June 2014 (2013/2014).

Assessed and revised the short-term forecast for the financial year ending in June 2015 (2014/2015);

Compiled short-term forecasts for the financial years ending in June 2016 (2015/2016), June 2017 (2016/2017) and June 2018 (2017/2018); and

Extended these short-term forecasts to a long-term forecast (30-year forecast) to the end of June 2045 (2044/2045)

All data presented has been updated to include the November 2014 sales figures and all statistics and trends have been based on the moving annual average and year-on-year growth figures as determined at 30 November 2014.

3.1 Review of 2013/14 Sales The initial forecasted water sales value for the financial year ending in June 2014 (2013/14), as determined in September 2012, was 1156 Ml/day. In September 2013 this figure was revised to 1173 Mℓ/day after updated discussions with customers. Total sales recorded for the 2013/14 financial year averaged 1 206 Mℓ/day (440 116 Mℓ). This was significantly higher (4.3%) than the September 2012 projection and 2.8% higher than the September 2013 projection. Total average water sales for the 2012/13 financial year was 1 156 Ml/day, and hence the 2013/14 sales are 4.3% year-on-year higher than the 2012/13 financial year. This can be compared to the 2.2% growth that was realized in the previous financial year. The 4.3% positive growth over the 2013/2014 period shows an increase when compared against the 2.2% growth of the previous year. This is significant when compared against the negative growth that was experienced in 2010/2011 but also shows the ever increasing growth that has occurred over the last four years. The negative growth that was experienced in 2010/11 was as a result of eThekwini Metro’s Water Demand Management Initiatives. After a period of less intensive implementation of these initiatives, demands have again increased. The five year average annual positive growth rate is 1.28%. Figure 3.1 shows the 12-month moving average of Umgeni Water’s total average daily water sales for the past 10 years. Bulk water sales to eThekwini Municipality constituted by far the largest percentage (74.4%) of Umgeni Water’s total water sales for 2013/14. Their proportion of the total sales has decreased from 75.3% in the previous year, due primarily to increased demands from Ugu, iLembe and Msunduzi municipalities. The Msunduzi Municipality is Umgeni Water’s second largest customer, accounting for 15.2% of the organisation’s total sales. The remaining customers make up the balance of the sales. Figure 3.2 illustrates the average daily sales volume distribution per customer for the financial year 2013/14.

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Figure 3.1 Umgeni Water Total Average Daily Sales.

Figure 3.2 Distribution of Sales Volumes for 2013/2014.

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3.2 2014 Short-Term Bulk Water Sales Forecasts Umgeni Water’s customers project relatively strong growth in demands over the next few years. Some of this growth will, however, be tempered by water demand management initiatives that are and will be implemented by the Municipalities. The Umgeni Water short term bulk water sales forecast for 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 is estimated to be 1229 Mℓ/day and 1255 Mℓ/day, respectively (Figure 3.3). This represents a 2.0% year-on-year increase in growth from 2013/2014, which is an improvement on the previous year, and is again primarily determined by the forecast provided by eThekwini Municipality.

Figure 3.3 Total Average Daily Sales Volumes - Annual short-term forecast comparison.

3.2.1 eThekwini Municipality

In the 2013/2014 financial year, the year-on-year growth in sales to eThekwini Municipality increased by 4.2%. In 2014, it was predicted that substantial growth would still occur in the northern eThekwini area with the proposed development of formal housing projects and the industrial development of the Dube Trade Port. This is shown in Figure 3.4, where the twelve-month moving average of sales increased from 877 Mℓ/day in December 2013 to 906 Mℓ/day in November 2014. eThekwini Municipality do not believe that their water demand management initiatives will further reduce their sales in the short term when compared against the natural growth and have predicted an increase in demand from 896 Mℓ/day to 906 Mℓ/day over the 2014/2015 financial year and to 931 Mℓ/day in 2015/2016. The historical sales and future demand projection for eThekwini Municipality are presented in Figure 3.4.

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eThekwini Municipality have predicted an increased demand from the Hazelmere WTP, due to proposed development on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast. At present this demand has been shifted to the Durban Heights WTP to minimise the overall demand on Hazelmere Dam. This load shift could be placed back on Hazelmere WTP once the Lower Thukela Bulk Water Supply Scheme is commissioned.

Figure 3.4 eThekwini Municipality Total Volumes - Annual short-term forecast.

3.2.2 The Msunduzi Municipality

The water sales to Msunduzi Municipality increased by 2.7% from 177 Mℓ/day in the 2012/2013 financial year to 182 Mℓ/day in 2014/2015.

The projected demands for 2014/2015 were determined in consultation with the municipality and it was agreed that the demand will increase at a rate of 1.5% for the short term forecast. The following significant factors influenced this short term forecast:

There are significant developments for medium to low cost housing that will result in an increase in demand.

The projection for Msunduzi Municipality is reflected in Figure 3.5

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3.2.3 Umgungundlovu District Municipality

The projected demands for 2014/2015 were determined in consultation with the municipality and it was agreed that the demand would increase at a rate of 2% for the short term forecast. The following significant factors influenced this short term forecast:

Gradual implementation of the Greater Eston Bulk Water Supply Scheme

Khayelisha housing development.

Expected commercial and industrial growth in Camperdown. The projection for Umgungundlovu District Municipality is reflected in Figure 3.6.

Figure 3.5 Msunduzi Municipality Total Sales Volumes - Annual short-term forecast.

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3.2.4 Ilembe District Municipality (including Sembcorp Siza

Water)

Sales to Ilembe District Municipality can be described as follows:

Sales to the Coastal Area of Ilembe through Sembcorp Siza Water.

Sales to the Coastal Area of Ilembe through Ilembe District Municipality.

Sales to Ilembe District Municipality through schemes owned by the municipality and managed by Umgeni Water.

Sembcorp Siza Water expects that developments in this area will increase the demand from 13.1 Mℓ/day in 2013/2014 to 14.1 Mℓ/day in 2014/2015 and 15.2 Mℓ/day in 2015/2016. The historical and future predicted increase in demand for Sembcorp Siza Water is presented in Figure 3.7.

Figure 3.6 Umgungungdlovu District Municipality Total Sales Volumes - Annual short-term forecast.

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Figure 3.7 Siza Water Total Sales Volumes - Annual short-term forecast.

The remaining water sales to Ilembe District Municipality for 2014/2015 include:

Approximately 13.9 Mℓ/day sales to the coastal areas from Umgeni Water’s Hazelmere WTP;

17.3 Mℓ/day sales to KwaDukuza (Stanger).

5.8 Mℓ/day sales to 27 inland rural schemes owned by Ilembe District Municipality and operated by Umgeni Water.

4.9 Mℓ/day sales to the Greater Maphumulo area from Umgeni Water’s Maphumulo WTP iLembe District Municipality is implementing a number of water demand management (WDM) initiatives within the town of KwaDukuza (Stanger) as well as the Ndwedwe area. It is estimated that savings from these initiatives will offset the growth in sales for the area. However, at the request of iLembe DM, the KwaShangase and KwaChilli areas will be linked to the Ndwedwe Reservoir Supply System off Reservoir 5. This is an interim supply option pending the findings of the Detailed Feasibility Study for a Bulk Water Supply Scheme (BWSS) for the Southern Ndwedwe area. It is predicted that a 3 percent growth rate in the 2014/2015 (42 Mℓ/day) and 2015/2016 (43.4 Mℓ/day) will occur. This restricted growth is due to the limited resource of the Mvoti WTP and an increase in demand will only be experienced when the Lower uThukela BWSS is commissioned during 2016. Historical and predicted future sales to Ilembe District Municipality are presented in Figure 3.8.

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Figure 3.8 Ilembe District Municipality Total Sales Volumes - Annual short-term forecast.

3.2.5 Ugu District Municipality

Total sales to the Ugu District Municipality increased steadily during 2014 as a result of non-rural supply systems commissioned during the year. An increase of 7.5% (24.7 Mℓ/day to 26.5Mℓ/day) was shown in the 2013/2014 financial year. The expected growth in sales to the Ugu District Municipality (as confirmed by them) is estimated at 2.3% in the 2014/2015 financial year and 0.2% in 2015/2016 (Figure 3.9). Ugu District Municipality highlighted potential growth of sales to the Middle South Coast following the commissioning of the South Coast Pipeline (SCP-2a). The full potential will be available once the Phase 2b is commissioned (refer to volume 2). This expected growth would be as a result of Ugu District Municipality’s proposed initiatives towards the reduction of backlogs. Rapid growth in water sales in the inland rural areas of the municipality, specifically in the Greater Vulamehlo, Ifafa and Mathulini areas are thus expected. Ugu District Municipality has embarked on a number of water demand management initiatives. However, these are mainly in the Lower South Coast region area of supply and hence these are not expected to have a major impact on projected water demand growth rates.

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Figure 3.9 Ugu District Municipality Total Sales Volumes - Annual short-term forecast.

3.2.6 Harry Gwala District Municipality

The Ixopo WTP supplies the Greater Ixopo area. Average daily sales from the WTP currently amount to approximately 2.37 Mℓ/day. There has been a decrease in the monthly sales from July 2013 to June 2014. This is attributed to WDM efforts by the municipality by eradicating water leakage. The average sales increased after completion of the project but are below the previously projected values. Following discussions with the municipality and due to the proposed development within the town of Ixopo, the projection for Harry Gwala District Municipality has been set at a 0% growth and sales will increase to 2.625 Ml/day in June 2016 once the new development is commissioned (Figure 3.10).

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Figure 3.10 Harry Gwala District Municipality Total Sales Volumes - Annual short-term forecast

3.3 Long-Term Forecast The 30-year long-term sales forecast for Umgeni Water’s supply area (Figure 3.11) has been based on the anticipated natural growth from the existing supply system, plus bulk sales from new supply infrastructure that would extend the area supplied. The base projection has been developed from the short-term forecasts described in Section 3.2 of this report and then extended at a compounded 1.5% per annum growth rate until 2044/2045 This growth rate has been agreed to by the major water users in the region and is considered acceptable for this long-term forecast as it closely matches the forecast that was independently derived as part of the “Water Reconciliation Strategy Study for the KwaZulu-Natal Coastal Metropolitan Areas” recently completed by DWA, which used a population projection technique to estimate demand forecasts. The drop in sales in the 2021/2022 and 2025/2026 financial years, as shown in Figure 3.11, is as a result of the anticipated commissioning by eThekwini Municipality of their Northern and KwaMashu wastewater reuse plants which are anticipated to produce 50 Mℓ/day and 60 Mℓ/day respectively. These plants intend to feed potable water directly into their bulk supply network, thereby reducing the requirement from Umgeni Water.

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Figure 3.11 Umgeni Water Long-Term Bulk Water Sales Forecast.

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4. WATER RESOURCES

4.1 Introduction In order for Umgeni Water to fulfil its function as a regional bulk water service provider, it requires a secure and sustainable supply of raw water. The reconciliation between water resource availability and water demands is therefore of primary importance to the organisation and forms an integral part of its infrastructure planning process. Understanding what water resources are available to the organisation both currently and in the future, and what impacts affect the level of assurance from these resources, is key to achieving the balance between supply and demand and in maintaining the assured level of supply required by the customers. The natural climate is the principal determinant of surface water runoff and groundwater. This section describes the climate as experienced within Umgeni Water’s operational area, as well as the possible impacts of climate change on surface water runoff in the Mgeni System. This section also describes the status quo of the water resources, both surface and groundwater, within Umgeni Water’s operational area, and mentions future development plans that are significant to the organisation. The water resources are grouped in logical regions as shown in Figure 4.1. Finally, a progress note is provided on Umgeni Water’s investigation into the less conventional supply options of wastewater reclamation (re-use) and seawater desalination.

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Figure 4.1 Water resource regions in Umgeni Water’s operational area.

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4.2 Climate There are three distinct climatic zones within Umgeni Water’s operational area (Figure 4.2), namely:

The Köppen classification Cwb which is the alpine-type climate found in and along the Drakensberg Mountains.

The Köppen classification Cfb which is the more temperate summer rain climate of the Midlands region.

The Köppen classification Cfa which is the subtropical perennial rainfall characterising the areas along the coast.

The mean annual precipitation (MAP) within the Umgeni Water operational area varies between 700 and 1000 mm (Figure 4.3) with most rains falling in summer (October to March), although there are occasional winter showers. The national average MAP is about 450 mm per year. The peak rainfall months are December to February in the inland areas and November to March along the coast. The prevailing weather patterns are predominantly orographic, where warm moist air moves in over the continent from the Indian Ocean, rises up the escarpment, cools down and creates rainfall. Rain shadows occur in the interior valley basins of the major rivers where the annual rainfall can drop to below 700 mm. The spatial distribution of evaporation is shown in Figure 4.4. This distribution has a similar pattern to rainfall where a relative high humidity is experienced in summer. There is a daily mean peak in February, ranging from 68% in the inland areas to greater than 72% for the coast and a daily mean low in July, ranging from 60% in the inland areas to greater than 68% at the coast. Potential mean annual gross evaporation (as measured by ‘A’ pan) ranges from between 1 600 mm and 1 800 mm in the west to between 1 400 mm and 1 600 mm in the coastal areas (Figure 4.4). Temperature distribution is shown in Figure 4.5. The mean annual temperature ranges between 12°C and 14°C in the west to between 20°C and 22°C at the coast. Maximum temperatures are experienced in the summer months of December to February and minimum temperatures in the winter months of June and July. Snowfalls on the Drakensberg Mountain between April and September have an influence on the climate. Frost occurs over the same period in the inland areas. The average number of heavy frost days per annum range from 31 to 60 days for inland areas to nil for the eastern coastal area. The mean annual runoff is illustrated in Figure 4.6.

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Figure 4.2 Climatic Zones (Köppen Classification).

87 Figure 4.3 Mean annual precipitation (mm).

88 Figure 4.4 Mean annual evaporation (mm).

89 Figure 4.5 Mean annual temperature (0C).

90 Figure 4.6 Mean annual runoff (mm).

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4.3 Possible impacts of a changing climate on water

security

Background

There is general consensus in the scientific community that the global climate is changing and that increased production of greenhouse gases (GHG) is a major cause of this change. Consequently, the climate is warming and that even if all GHG emissions were to cease immediately, temperatures would continue to climb into the future. The specifics of how local precipitation and rainfall events may change are however still unclear. Even more uncertain are the potential impacts that this will have on runoff and human systems, infrastructure and operational issues. However, it is prudent to consider these risks and make allowances in appropriate planning and design, particularly given the significant costs and long planning periods required for major infrastructure investments such as dams, pipelines, structures, buildings and transport infrastructure. Since 2006, Umgeni Water has largely been at the forefront of the consideration of potential climate change impacts and incorporating these into operations planning. In 2012 the Water Research Commission, with support from Umgeni Water, completed a study looking at the potential impacts of climate change on the Mgeni System using the outputs from 31 climate scenarios and daily streamflow impacts. These were applied to the existing yield configuration of the Mgeni System, although, the general consensus was that the results were not helpful in terms of water resources planning due to their wide range of uncertainty. Since the completion of these studies there have been a number of developments in the approach to incorporating climate change impacts into water resources modelling and planning decisions in South Africa.

National Climate Change Strategy

During 2013, the DWS prepared a Climate Change Strategy. The Strategy included the modelling of the potential impacts of climate change using 5 regional downscaled climate models in four pilot catchments viz. the Western Cape, Inkomati, Umzimvubu and de Aar. The Strategy also assessed the potential climate change threats in each of the six main hydro-climatic zones of South Africa and made recommendations on the robustness of each system. The conclusion for Zone 2: East Coast from Pongola to Mzimkulu, was that there would likely be an increase in rainfall in the eastern part of the Zone with a potential increase in yields, but that more frequent and more extreme flooding is likely to occur. There could also be increased dam and evaporation losses and consideration should be given to changing dam operating rules to address potential risks due to flooding and consequential higher sediment loads.

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Development under Climate Change study

During 2013, the National Treasury commissioned a study by the United National University – World Institute for Development Economics (UNU-WIDER) to investigate the potential economic impacts of climate change through a number of impact channels including water supply and road infrastructure. This study was done using a Hybrid Frequency Distribution (HFD) approach that considered all possible GCM outputs to give some indication of the potential risks and probabilities associated with climate change impacts. The biophysical modelling component included generating monthly time series of catchment runoff for all quaternary catchments in South Africa up to the year 2050 for over 300 climate model outputs under two mitigation scenarios; Unconstrained Emissions (UCE) and Level 1 Stabilisation (L1S). The runoff scenarios were then used as inputs to a national configuration of the yield model at secondary catchment scale to look at the potential impacts on water supply in each of the 19 WMAs. The results showed a wide range of potential impacts, but with the majority of models showing an increase in runoff in the catchments along the east coast of South Africa. Some models showed very high impacts, likely to be accompanied by significant increases in the risk of flooding. There are, however, still a handful of models that show the potential for drying in these catchments. The results reflect the impacts on catchment runoff and show a general increase in the ability to supply future water demands in KwaZulu-Natal, although there is potential for a reduction in the uThukela. An important consideration is that this modelling process uses a national model configuration and is therefore not able to capture the specific details of individual systems. A strong recommendation from this study was that these climate scenarios should also be applied to a selection of existing, more detailed systems models, to study the impacts in more detail. Given its history with climate change studies, the Mgeni System would be an ideal case study for this more detailed study.

Long Term Adaptation Strategy

The Long Term Adaptation Strategy (LTAS) is a flagship program of the Department of Environment Affairs (DEA) which is aimed at assessing the likely impacts of climate change on multiple sectors in South Africa as well as developing long term adaptation strategies. An important outcome from Phase 1 of the LTAS is a review of the existing regional climate model scenarios from both the University of Cape Town (UCT) and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the development of four consensus regionally downscaled LTAS climate scenarios. These are currently being converted to daily streamflow time series for all quinery catchments using the ACRU hydrological model. As part of Phase 2, an assessment of the potential impacts on water supply, and ultimately the economic impacts, is being done using the outputs from the latest South African climate models and applying the same method as the DUCC study. These results are likely to be available in the first quarter of 2014, but are likely to be within the range of impacts estimated using the HFD climate scenarios in the DUCC study. In addition the potential impacts on flooding and sediment loads under the four LTAS climate scenarios are being assessed by developing appropriate modelling techniques at a national scale. The results of the national assessment are also likely to be available in March or April 2014. Phase 3 of LTAS is scheduled to start in July 2014. Currently the objective of Phase 3 is to focus on a few selected case studies to provide more detailed assessments of the potential impacts and

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adaptation options for climate change in selected sectors and in selected areas of South Africa. Given the interest and experience of Umgeni Water in considering climate change impacts and the potentially significant impacts particularly in terms of flooding and sediment loads, but also in terms of variable water supply, it would be beneficial for Umgeni Water to support one or more case studies in its area.

Workshop on incorporating Climate Change in Water

Resources Modelling for DWS

On the 29th August, 2013 the DWS convened a workshop on incorporating climate change and invasive alien plants into large scale water resources planning in South Africa. The general conclusion was that climate change represents an added level of uncertainty in the modelling of water resources system in support of large scale planning in South Africa, and hence methodologies need to be developed to facilitate an increased level of uncertainty modelling in our the current approach. It was also recognised at the workshop that many of the components are in place in South Africa to transition to an uncertainty and risk based approach to water resources modelling, but that additional work and in particular case studies are required to fully develop and operationalize these new approaches. Equally important was the consideration of how these results could best be interpreted and presented to water resource planners and decision makers.

Potential Future Studies on Climate Change Impacts for

Umgeni Water

Given the recent developments in the modelling of potential climate change impacts on water resources systems in South Africa, and the start of Phase 3 of LTAS in 2014, the time is right for Umgeni Water to actively pursue further studies that would improve the management of water resources and adaptive capacity to manage the potential impacts of a changing climate on water and infrastructure. Some potential studies for consideration include:

Using the Mgeni system to investigate the risk of potential impacts on future water supply based on (1) the multiple HFD risk approach, and/or (2) the latest LTAS climate scenarios using a more detailed and complex water resources system model,

Investigate the potential for implementing flood operating rules for dams in the Umgeni system to reduce the risk associated with potential increased flooding under climate change,

Investigate the potential impacts of increased flooding on regional floodlines,

Investigate the potential impacts on key infrastructure such as dam safety,

Investigate the potential impacts of increased sediment load on the operational and maintenance costs for key infrastructure, e.g. the Lower Thukela abstraction works.

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4.4 Water Resource Regions The amount of water that reaches and flows in the South African rivers is estimated in the region of 49 x 109 m3/annum in Mean Annual Runoff (MAR) (NWRS, 2012). It is estimated that the surface runoff and groundwater resources occurring in the Mvoti to Mzimkulu Water Management Area (WMA) are 433 million m3/annum and 6 million m3/annum, respectively. This WMA together with the Mooi and the Lower uThukela catchments encompass, and impact upon, Umgeni Water’s operational area. These catchments have been grouped into logical regions (as shown in Figure 4.7 and Table 4.1) and are described further in this section.

Table 4.1 Distribution of surface water resources.

Region Quaternary Catchments

Major Rivers Significant Dams WSAs

Lower uThukela V40, V50 uThukela Portion of ILembe Portion of Mzinyathi

Mvoti U4 U5

uMvoti Nonoti

Lake Merthely Darnall Dam

Portion of ILembe Portion of Umgungundlovu Portion of Mzinyathi

Mdloti U30A U30B U30C U30D U30E

Mhlali uThongathi (Tongati) uMdloti

Hazelmere Dam Siphon Dam Dudley Pringle Dam

Portion of eThekwini Portion of ILembe

Mgeni/Mooi V20 U20

Mooi uMngeni (Mgeni)

Craigieburn Dam Spring Grove Dam Mearns Weir Midmar Dam Albert Falls Dam Nagle Dam Inanda Dam

Portion of Umgungundlovu Portion of eThekwini Portion of Mzinyathi

Mlazi/Lovu U60 U70

uMlaza (Mlazi) Lovu Nungwane Mgababa

Nungwane Dam Mgababa Dam Bealulieu Dam Shongweni Dam

Portion of Umgungundlovu Portion of eThekwini

uMkhomazi U10 uMkhomazi Portion of Umgungundlovu Portion of Harry Gwala Portion of eThekwini Portion of Ugu

Middle South Coast U80 Mpambanyoni Mzimayi uMuziwezinto (Mzinto) Fafa Mtwalume Mzumbe

E.J. Smith Dam Umzinto Dam

Portion of Ugu Portion of Harry Gwala Portion of eThekwini

Mzimkulu T50 Mzimkulu Portion of Harry Gwala Portion of Ugu

Mtamvuna T40 Mtamvuna Portion of Ugu

95

Figure 4.7 Quaternary catchments.

96

Reserve Determination in Mvoti to Mzimkulu area

The Chief Directorate: Resource Directed Measures (DWA, 2015) initiated a study to undertake the classification of significant water resources (rivers, wetlands, groundwater and lakes) as well as the determination of the Reserve and Resource Quality Objectives in the Mvoti to Mzimkulu Water Management Area. The determination of the management class which would be described by the Resource Quality Objectives will be undertaken as part of the study. This is done to ensure that that a balance is sought between the need to protect and sustain water resources on one hand and the need to develop and use them on the other. The project will be undertaken over a period of three years ending in 2015. The Ecological Water Requirements (EWRs) will be quantified at different levels of detail in the key river systems of the Mvoti to Mzimkulu Water Management Area. EWR refers to flow and its associated characteristics (water quality, sediment, patterns) that should be left or provided in the river system for those biota dependant on it, its riparian habitat integrity, as well as any people dependant on a natural functioning river to sustain their livelihoods (Ecological Goods and Services) as specified under schedule 1 of the National Water Act. The following tasks relating to EWR assessments have been undertaken to date: River Management Resource Units have been identified.

River EWR sites (key biophysical nodes) have been identified.

River EWR surveys have been undertaken.

Estuarine surveys have been undertaken.

Hydraulic, hydrodynamic and biophysical data collated are being analysed.

Hydrological analysis for all biophysical nodes is complete.

The output of the study will be the setting of the Management Classes, the Reserve and Resource Quality Objectives, which will then be presented to the Minister for approval and gazetting. (See key study areas listed below) Mvoti (Tertiary catchments U40 and U50) Mdloti (Tertiary catchment U30) Mgeni (Tertiary catchment U20) Mlazi and Lovu (Tertiary catchments U60 and U70) Mkhomazi (Tertiary catchment U10) Mpambanyoni to Mzumbe or South Coast (Tertiary catchment U80) Mzimkulu (Tertiary catchments T51 and T52) Mtamvuna (Tertiary catchment T40)

4.4.1 Lower uThukela Region

The Lower uThukela region (Figure 4.8) comprises the lower portion of uThukela River, one of the largest rivers within the country. The water resources of uThukela River have been substantially allocated to users within uThukela basin itself, to inter-basin transfers to the Vaal, and to the Mhlathuze catchment. This region consists of the tertiary catchments V40 and V50, and quaternary catchments V33C, V33D and V60K, and includes the town of Mandini and the Isithebe industrial area.

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Surface Water

The hydrological characteristics for this region are summarised in Table 4.2.

Table 4.2 Hydrological characteristics of the Lower uThukela Region (WR90).

Region River (Catchment) Area (km

2)

Annual Average

Evaporation (mm)

Rainfall (mm)

Natural Runoff (million m

3/annum)

Natural Runoff (mm)

Lower uThukela uThukela River (lower portion) 4 183 1 340 848 434 104

Groundwater

The Lower uThukela region occurs in the KwaZulu-Natal Coastal Foreland Groundwater Region (Figure 4.9). This Groundwater Region is characterised by fractured aquifers which are formed by predominantly arenaceous rocks consisting of sandstone and diamictite (Dwyka tillite).

Hydrogeological Units

The area is entirely underlain by hard rocks (Granites) of the Basement Complex and compacted sedimentary strata of the Natal Group Sandstone (NGS) and Karoo Supergroup.

Geohydrology

Eighty nine per cent of all reported borehole yields are less than 3 ℓ/s, confirming that overall the groundwater resources are moderately poor to marginal.

Groundwater Potential

The development potential in the area (Figure 4.10) can be classified as moderate, where resources are, on average, suitable for development of small reticulation schemes for small villages, schools, clinics and hospitals. Recharge calculations indicate the potential groundwater resources are underutilised: less than 25% of potentially available groundwater is presently used.

Water Quality

The groundwater quality is generally good with an electrical conductivity (EC) of 450 mg/l (less than 70 mS/m). The water quality in the uThukela Valley is classified as acceptable with EC between 70 and 300 mS/m. The groundwater quality poses no limitation to use for human consumption, and is not therefore a constraint to development.

98

Figure 4.8 General layout of the Lower uThukela Region.

99

Figure 4.9 Groundwater regions (2nd Edition).

100

Figure 4.10 Groundwater potential in the uThukela Region.

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Reserve

Water for the Ecological Reserve is water that must remain in the river and may not be abstracted. This is expressed as an estimated reduction in available yield and is shown as part of the resource. As part of the “Thukela Reserve Determination Study” (2004b), a comprehensive water resource evaluation assessment indicated a substantial surplus in the uThukela WMA even after meeting the Reserve requirements. However, in the uThukela Water Management Area Internal Strategic Perspective (ISP) it is reported that “after careful review and consideration of the Reserve Study results, it became clear that assumptions made for the Reserve Study, while valid for Reserve determination, are not valid for the allocation of water in the uThukela WMA today or in the short-term”. The reasons for this are as follows:

uThukela Reserve water resource analysis assumed that the Reserve will be met through the application of curtailments to users throughout the catchment. This curtailment results in surplus water becoming available in the lower reaches of uThukela River.

uThukela Reserve water resource analysis assumed that the Spioenkop, Ntshingwayo and Wagendrift dams will all contribute to the users and the Reserve in the Lower uThukela. The conjunctive use of these three dams results in large theoretical surpluses in the Lower uThukela.

The methodology used in the uThukela Reserve analysis, whereby the excess yield is determined at the bottom of each key area, represents the best-case scenario. If the yield is required further upstream in the catchment then the excess yield is less. The reason for this is that releases are only made from the large dams to meet the users' shortfalls after they have made use of run-of-river yields. The further downstream a user is situated, the more run-of-river yield becomes available, with the result that less water needs to be released from the dams and hence more surplus is available.

Water Balance/Availability

This region appears to be in balance even after making an allowance for the Ecological Reserve. Umgeni Water received the abstraction licence of 40 million m3/annum (110 Ml/day) from DWS in July 2013. According to the uThukela Water Management ISP (DWA, 2004) it is estimated that there is about 45 million m3/annum (120 Ml/day) which is not allocated. The main water abstractions in the Lower uThukela Area were identified as follows:

Middeldrift abstractions consisting of the transfer scheme that takes water to the Mhlathuze River System, and the recently developed scheme supplying water to the Ngcebo communities (Figure 4.8 and Table 4.2) located south of uThukela River.

The abstraction situated upstream of Mandini supplying the Sundumbili WTP which serves Sundumbili and the surrounding areas.

The abstraction supplying the uThukela paper mill of SAPPI, including the town of Mandini.

Irrigation demands in the main river course situated in the Lower uThukela area.

Existing Infrastructure and Yield

Currently the Lower uThukela Catchment is unregulated and does not have any significant water resource infrastructure on it. Major abstractions are all run-of-river as discussed in the preceding section.

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Proposed Water Resource Infrastructure

Whilst the ultimate DWS strategy is to transfer uThukela River water northwards to meet the future demands of the Richards Bay area, this water is not required for that area in the near future. Hence, the uThukela River has been identified as a potential water resource to supply the North Coast area (i.e. south of the uThukela River) in the medium and possibly the long-term. A total amount of 40 million m3/annum (approximately 110 Ml/day) is available in the Lower uThukela Region for abstraction for urban and domestic supply, as per DWS water use licence issued in July 2013. The storage dams in the upper reaches of the uThukela catchment (including Spring Grove Dam) will need to make releases in the winter months to ensure this quantity is always available. Umgeni Water is currently implementing the Lower Thukela Bulk Water Supply Scheme which will abstract the above-mentioned yield for treatment to potable standards and supply it to areas within KwaDukuza and Mandini Local Municipalities. The scheme includes an abstraction works situated on uThukela River in the vicinity of Mandini (Figure 4.11), utilising a run-of-river abstraction mechanism. The construction of the abstraction works and the weir commenced in October 2013 and is due for completion in December 2016. The Water Treatment Plant construction commenced in October 2013 and is due for completion in in December 2016. The works will initially abstract 20 million m3/annum (55 Ml/day) and will be upgraded to 40 million m3/annum (110 Ml/day) at a later stage when needed to meet growth requirements. Refer to Section 7.7.3 of Volume 2 for more details on the Lower Thukela Bulk Water Supply Scheme.

103

Figure 4.11 Proposed water resource infrastructure in the Lower uThukela Region.

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4.4.2 Mvoti Region

The Mvoti region comprises two tertiary catchments, viz. U40 (Mvoti River) and U50 (Nonoti River) (Figure 4.12). Land cover consists primarily of communal land in the inland areas, commercial timber in the upper reaches of the Mvoti catchment and dryland and irrigated sugar cane along the coastal strip. The urban and peri-urban areas of the town of KwaDukuza (previously known as Stanger), Greytown, Zinkwazi, Darnall and Groutville are located within this region. The town of KwaDukuza relies on run-of-river abstractions from uMvoti River, supported by water transfers from the Mdloti catchment. Groutville also uses water transfers from the Mdloti catchment. Zinkwazi utilises local groundwater resources, while Greytown relies on Lake Merthley and groundwater. The Darnall Dam on the Nonoti River supports the town of Darnall.

Surface Water

The hydrological characteristics of the catchments in the Mvoti region are shown in Table 4.3.

Table 4.3 Hydrological characteristics for the Mvoti region (WR90).


2)

Annual Average

Evaporation (mm)

Rainfall (mm)

Natural Runoff (million

m3/annum)

Natural Runoff (mm)

Mvoti Nonoti River (U50) 179 1 250 1 056 35.8 200

uMvoti River (U40) 3 035 1 223 892 435.0 143

Groundwater

The Mvoti region occurs in the KwaZulu-Natal Coastal Foreland Groundwater Region (Figure 4.9). This Groundwater Region is characterised by fractured aquifers which are formed by predominantly arenaceous rocks consisting of sandstone and diamictite (Dwyka tillite).


The hydrogeologically relevant lithologies recognised in the study area comprise sandstone, tillite and mudstone/shale supporting fractured groundwater regimes and dolerite intrusions and granite/gneiss supporting fractured and weathered groundwater regimes.

Geohydrology

Natural groundwater discharge occurs in the form of springs, seeps and in isolated cases, uncapped artesian boreholes. The wetlands and dams in the headwaters of uMvoti River are supported by perennial groundwater seeps associated with the dolerite sill intrusions in the mudstone/shale lithologies. Springs rising in the sandstone and granite/gneiss lithologies relate to structural features (faults and fracture zones, lineaments). An analysis of baseflow-derived stream runoff values per

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quaternary catchment suggests that groundwater recharge from rainfall varies in the range 3% to 7% of the mean annual precipitation.


The greatest widespread demand on the groundwater resources in this catchment is represented by its use as a source of potable water for communities in the rural areas and, to a lesser extent, households in the farming areas. Other demands of a more concentrated nature are represented by its use to supplement rainfall and traditional surface water supplies for irrigation. The sandstone of the Natal Group represents the most productive groundwater-bearing lithology, followed by mudstone/shale lithologies, the granite/gneiss lithologies and the tillite sediments of the Dwyka Formation. A good to fair correlation exists between boreholes supporting yields in the moderate (greater than 0.5 ℓ/s to less than 3.0 ℓ/s) and high (greater than 3.0 ℓ/s) classification ranges and structural features represented by faults and remotely sensed lineaments. The groundwater potential is particularly high (greater than 3.0 ℓ/s) in the upper catchment in the Natal Group sandstones in a band just south of the towns Greytown, Kranskop and Seven Oaks (Figure 4.13).

Water Quality

The Mvoti Water Treatment Plant (WTP) abstracts raw water from uMvoti River for treatment and supply of potable water. Turbidity has traditionally been a problem at this site because of the run of river abstraction, which is also negatively impacted by the sand mining activities upstream of the plant. The turbidity of the raw water abstracted has decreased somewhat over the last year. E. coli compliance was 100% a vast improvement over the previous year (Figure 4.14).

106

Figure 4.12 General layout of the Mvoti region.

107 Figure 4.13 Groundwater potential in the Mvoti

Region.

108

Figure 4.14 Percentage compliance vs. non-compliance with the Resource Quality Objective for Mvoti.

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Algae - Mvoti Raw

%age compliance with RQO %age non-compliance with RQO

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Turbidity - Mvoti Raw


90%

92%

94%

96%

98%

100%

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

E.coli - Mvoti Raw


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Reserve

The Ecological Reserve of uMvoti River was determined in the late 1990s before the reserve determination techniques and methodologies were refined and standardised across the country. Hence, the Reserve has not been implemented to date and will need to be recalculated at a comprehensive level using the standardised methodology. Notwithstanding this, the highly stressed nature of the catchment is a clear indication that it is unlikely that the Reserve will be fully met if implemented. This is particularly the case during dry periods, while in the wetter periods the Reserve is more likely to be met. The implementation of the ecological Reserve in the catchment will result in the aggravation of the current situation, which is already marked by periods of curtailments during low flows. Based on a desktop analysis (DWA, 2004), the ecological requirement is estimated to be 22% of the MAR for a Class C Ecological Management Category. The impact of this on the available yield is estimated at 10 million m3/annum (27 Ml/day). The broad strategy for this catchment will most likely be to implement the Ecological Reserve in a phased manner together with compulsory licensing to deal with the issue of over-allocation. The DWS (2015) study will determine the reserve of the uMvoti River and the associated impacts of this reserve on water resources.


According to the Mvoti to Mzimkulu ISP (DWS, 2004) the water balance of the Mvoti region is in deficit of 56 million m3/annum. Umgeni Water applied for an abstraction licence of 6.57 million m3/annum (18 Ml/day) from the Mvoti River for the Mvoti WTP, this should be reviewed as demands increase. The DWS abstraction licence of 2.56 million m3/annum (7 Ml/day) was received in August 2012 for the IMvutshane Dam (Phase 2) in the Hlimbitwa catchment, a tributary of the uMvoti River.

Existing Infrastructure and Yields

Surface Water

There are no major storage dams on the uMvoti and Nonoti rivers and consequently the available yield from this system is limited. Lake Merthley, situated in the upper reaches of the Mvoti catchment, and the Darnall Dam on the Nonoti River are the only dams of any significance in this region. The Mvoti Region has a high MAR, however, the high sediment loads on the main rivers make the development of small dams on these rivers non-viable. Large storage dams or off-channel storage dams are therefore required. Table 4.4 shows a summary of water resource impoundments and Table 4.5 provides a summary of the water resource statistics.

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Table 4.4 Existing Dams in the Mvoti Region.

Impoundment River Capacity

(million m3)

Purpose

Lake Merthely Heine 1.98 Domestic

Darnall Dam Nonoti 0.3 Domestic

Table 4.5 Yield information for the existing water resource abstractions in the Mvoti Region.


(million m3)

Yield (million m

3/annum)

Stochastic Yield (million m

3/annum)

Historical 1:50 1:100

Mvoti Run-of-River at Mvoti WTP

uMvoti 0 Not Available 3.3

(9.0 Ml/day) Not Available

Lake Merthely Heinespruit (tributary of the

uMvoti) 1.98

0.74 (2.02 Ml/day)

0.95 (2.60 Ml/day)

0.89 (2.44 Ml/day)

Darnall Dam Nonoti 0.3 Not Available

1.8 (4.9 Ml/day)

1.1 (3.0 Ml/day)

Groundwater

Umgeni Water operates the Efaye Groundwater Scheme on behalf of the Umgungundlovu Municipality. The Efaye community is situated just north of Mount Elias. The scheme is supplied by two production boreholes with a combined sustainable yield of approximately 256 kl/day, although the demand is far greater and new groundwater resources are required. Umgeni Water completed a groundwater resources investigation in 2010, with a view to augmenting the supply to the scheme that involved the drilling of 6 exploration boreholes. Pump testing (24 hrs) results indicate that four of the boreholes have a combined sustainable yield of 265 kl/day that can potentially be utilised to augment existing supplies. The other two boreholes were low yielding and therefore not pump tested. Preliminary infrastructure feasibility studies with a view to connecting up the new boreholes to the existing potable water distribution system have been shelved in favour of the uMshwati Regional Bulk Water Supply Scheme. In Greytown, six boreholes pump into the town’s water supply distribution system. The sustainable yield of the well field is unknown, but has previously been reported as being in the order of 1.5 Ml/day (GCS, 1993). Previous studies (Umgeni Water, 1997) indicated that some of the boreholes were hydraulically linked. As the boreholes are using the same aquifer and no records of groundwater levels are being kept there is a possibility that the aquifer is being over-utilised. There are a number of rural stand-alone water supply schemes in the Mvoti catchment that currently rely on boreholes for their water supply. Most of these are located in the iLembe Municipality and are operated by Umgeni Water. Sugar mills such as Dalton, Noodsberg and Glendale successfully utilise groundwater resources for industrial purposes. Numerous commercial poultry farms also utilise boreholes with success.

111

The coastal village of Zinkwazi is supplied by groundwater from five production boreholes, with a combined yield of approximately 550 kl/day, operating on a 24-hour pump cycle. In 2012 the iLembe Municipality installed a pipeline from the Darnall Mill Water Treatment Works that augments the groundwater supply. A reverse osmosis desalination package plant installed by Umgeni Water at the main production borehole, to treat brackish water, is currently not being used.

Operating Rules

There is an existing link between Umgeni Water’s North Coast Supply System (NCSS) (Section 5.5), which obtains water from Hazelmere Dam on the Mdloti River (Section 4.4.3), to the supply system from uMvoti River which abstracts water for th e Mvoti WTP. Thus, when the Mvoti System is unable to fully meet the demands placed on it, water from Hazelmere Dam can be delivered via the NCSS to supplement the supply.


Major Surface Water Developments

The long-term macro development strategy for water supply to the KwaZulu-Natal coastal strip between Ballito and the uThukela River is logically centred around the uMvoti River and the lower reaches of uThukela River. Investigations of the various uMvoti River options, completed in the late 1990s, concluded that the most favourable water resource development option is the proposed Isithundu Dam (Figure 4.15), situated on the uMvoti River immediately upstream of its confluence with the Hlimbitwa River. Water would be released from the dam back into the river for abstraction by downstream irrigators. The remaining released water would be diverted through an existing weir and tunnel at Mvoti View to supply raw water into a small balancing dam situated on a tributary of the uMvoti River. Water would then be pumped to the proposed Fawsley Park WTP to supply into the NCSS under gravity. Subsequent changes to legislation saw the irrigators withdrawing from the proposed scheme due to the higher cost of raw water from the scheme becoming unaffordable for them. With the resultant shift to a single purpose scheme for domestic and industrial supply only, the criteria used to select the preferred option changed. This implies that the findings of the selection process will have to be reviewed in order to confirm the preferred development option. An alternate option of developing a dam lower on the uMvoti River at Welverdient (Figure 4.15) to supply directly to the proposed Fawsley Park WTP now also needs to be considered. A detailed investigation to determine the preferred option is to be undertaken by DWS. A potential dam site in the upper reaches of uMvoti River at Mvoti-Poort (Figure 4.15) in the vicinity of Greytown was identified during the initial investigations of supply options for the northern coastal regions. Whilst not deemed a suitable option to supply the town of KwaDukuza and surrounds, this site is considered favourable to be developed as a water resource that could support an Upper Mvoti regional bulk scheme to supply potable water to Greytown, Kranskop and surrounds on a sustainable basis in the long-term (Section 5.5). A detailed investigation of this site still needs to be undertaken by DWS. In order to supply the communities in Maphumulo, Maqumbi and Ashville, the Maphumulo Bulk Water Supply Scheme has been developed and obtains its raw water from the iMvutshane River, a tributary of the Hlimbitwa River (which in turn is a tributary of uMvoti River). A dam site was identified on iMvutshane River (Figure 4.15) and the construction of the dam is now complete with

112

first impoundment expected in April 2015. The dam will be augmented from the Hlimbitwa River during times when the dam runs low (Section 5.5). Similarly, to supply the Ozwathini community a scheme had been investigated on the Sikoto River, which is a tributary of uMvoti River. A dam site has been identified on the Sikoto River that has the potential to support this community in the medium to long-term. However, this scheme will not be implemented as the preferred Umshwathi Regional Bulk Water Supply Scheme will be constructed instead (Section 7.4.10). Details of the proposed water resources infrastructure developments in the Mvoti Region are given in Table 4.6.

Table 4.6 Proposed water resource infrastructure in the Mvoti Region.


(million m3)

Yield (million m

3/annum)


3/annum)

Historical 1:50 1:100 1:200

Mvoti-Poort Dam uMvoti 80.1 Not Available Not

Available Not Available

Not Available

Isithundu Dam uMvoti 51.3 45

(123 Ml/day) 49.0

(134 Ml/day) 47.0

(129 Ml/day) 45.1

(124 Ml/day)

Raised Isithundu Dam uMvoti 102.0 57

(156 Ml/day) 67.0

(184 Ml/day) 63.2

(173 Ml/day) 59.4

(163 Ml/day)

Welverdient Dam uMvoti

108.1 Not Available

Not Available

Not Available Not

Available

IMvutshane Dam IMvutshane 3.2 Not Available 2.4

(6.5 Ml/day) Not Available Not Available

Sikoto Dam Sikoto 5.6 Not Available 2.3

(6.3 Ml/day) Not Available Not Available

Refer to Section 7.7.4 of Volume 2 for more detail on this Maphumulo Bulk Water Supply Scheme.

113

Figure 4.15 Proposed water resource infrastructure in the Mvoti Region.

114

iMvutshane Dam

A dam site and abstraction point were identified on the iMvutshane River approximately 10 km south of the town of Maphumulo and approximately 1 km upstream of the confluence of the iMvutshane and Hlimbitwa rivers. Phase 1 which includes a raw water pump station and rising main has been completed. Phase 2 which includes the construction of iMvutshane Dam and is due to be commissioned in April 2015.

Hlimbitwa Emergency Abstraction Scheme

The objective of this emergency scheme is to pump water from the Hlimbitwa River to augment the iMvutshane Dam during dry periods. The Maphumulo WTW, which is currently operating at near its design capacity of 6 Ml/day, is supplied with raw water from a temporary abstraction on the iMvutshane River until such time as the iMvutshane Dam is completed. The drought experienced in 2014 meant that the yield of the iMvutshane River was insufficient to supply the demand and, as a result, a 50% drought restriction was imposed on the demands in the area. The rapid growth in demand, within the Maphumulo region during 2014, has necessitated the need for Umgeni Water to urgently consider supplementing the temporary iMvutshane River abstraction with a supply from the Hlimbitwa River by up to 6 Ml/day (Figure 4.16). Assuming normal rainfall occurs in 2014/2015, then it is expected that the yield of the iMvutshane River will be inadequate to sustain the current demand until such time as the iMvutshane Dam impounds sufficient storage (Section 5.4).

Figure 4.16 Spatial layout of proposed temporary abstraction on the Hlimbitwa River in relation to the Imvutshane Dam.

115

Efaye Groundwater

The additional groundwater resources (265 kl/day), secured in 2010 through the drilling of six boreholes, have not been realised. The boreholes have not been equipped with pumps or water distribution infrastructure and have been capped. A decision has now been made not to equip these boreholes, but to rather connect the scheme up to the uMshwati Regional Bulk Water Supply Scheme (Section 7.4.10)

4.4.3 Mdloti Region

The Mdloti region is located in the U30 tertiary catchment and covers the Mdloti, uThongati and Mhlali rivers (Figure 4.17). The main urban areas located in this region are Tongaat, Canelands, Verulam and Umhlanga. The main water use activities in the catchment are irrigation (mainly in quaternary catchment U30B, U30C and U30D), dryland sugar cane (widespread but especially in quaternary catchment U30E), domestic use, commerce and industry. The Mdloti region obtains its raw water primarily from Hazelmere Dam on the uMdloti River. Raw water is abstracted from the dam for treatment at Umgeni Water’s Hazelmere WTP and supply into the North Coast Supply System (NCSS) (Section 5.5). Raw water is also abstracted from the Mdloti River upstream of Hazelmere Dam to supply the Ogunjini WTP, which is currently operated by eThekwini Municipality (Section 5.4). eThekwini Municipality also operates the Tongaat WTP which receives raw water from the run-of-river abstraction from the uThongathi River

Surface Water

The hydrological characteristics for the Mdloti region catchments are shown in Table 4.7.

Table 4.7 Hydrological characteristics of the Mdloti Region.


2)

Annual Average

Evaporation (mm)

Rainfall (mm)


3/yr)

Natural Runoff (mm)

Mdloti Mhlali River (U30E) 290 1 252 1 075 46.7 162

uThongathi River (U30C and U30D) 423 1 252 1 075 72.0 170

uMdloti River (U30A and U30B) 597 1 200 977 100.0 168

Groundwater

The Mdloti region occurs in the KwaZulu-Natal Coastal Foreland Groundwater Region (Figure 4.9). This Groundwater Region is characterised by fractured aquifers which are formed by predominantly arenaceous rocks consisting of sandstone and diamictite (Dwyka tillite).

116


The hydrogeologically relevant lithologies recognised in the study area comprise sandstone, tillite and mudstone/shale supporting fractured groundwater regimes and dolerite intrusions and granite/gneiss supporting fractured and weathered groundwater regimes.

Geohydrology

The overall median yield (0.33 ℓ/s) of boreholes tapping the Natal Group Sandstone (NGS) identifies this lithology as one of the more productive hydrogeological units in the Mdloti catchment. The highest percentage of boreholes (8%) yielding greater than 4.5 ℓ/s can be found in this lithology. The Mdloti catchment is predominantly underlain by this lithology. The mudstone/shale of the Ecca Group occurs in a NE-SW trending band separated from the coastline by quaternary deposits. Boreholes tapping these lithologies have median yields of 0.4 ℓ/s. The tillite of the Dwyka Formation s supports an overall median yield of 0.14 ℓ/s and a relatively high percentage (40%) of dry boreholes. In the headwaters of the Mdloti catchment the granite/gneisses predominate. This lithological unit supports a median yield of 0.18 ℓ/s. An analysis of baseflow-derived stream run-off values per quaternary catchment suggests that groundwater recharge from rainfall varies in the range 3% to 7% of the mean annual precipitation.

117

Figure 4.17 General layout of the Mdloti Region.

118


The groundwater potential for this region is illustrated in Figure 4.18. The greatest widespread demand on the groundwater resources in this catchment is represented by its use as a source of potable water for communities in the rural areas and, to a lesser extent, households in the farming areas. Other demands of a more concentrated nature are represented by its use to supplement rainfall and traditional surface water supplies for irrigation. The sandstone of the Natal Group represents the most productive groundwater-bearing lithology, followed by mudstone/shale lithologies, the granite/gneiss lithologies and the tillite sediments of the Dwyka Tillite Formation.

Water Quality

The Hazelmere system has a severe problem with suspended solids and this is due to the nature of the catchment which is overgrazed as a result of improper farming practices and therefore the soil is highly erodible. Phosphate non-compliance against RQO limit has slightly increased compared to the previous years. The percentage non-compliance of E. coli decreased by 4% compared to the previous year and is now fully compliant with the RQO (Figure 4.19).

Reserve

No comprehensive assessment of the Ecological Reserve of uMdloti River has been undertaken to date. In the 2003 feasibility study of the raising the full supply level of Hazelmere Dam, the Reserve was established at a desktop level of detail (DWA, 2003). This study also determined that the 98% assured yield of Hazelmere Dam would reduce from an estimated 25.5 million m3/annum to 16.2 million m3/annum when the ecological Reserve is implemented. This reduction will have a dramatic impact on the useful life of the dam for supply purposes and make the proposed raising unviable from a potable water supply point of view. It has therefore been agreed by DWS to not implement the Reserve on uMdloti River immediately, but rather to do it in a phased manner, once further water resources have been developed in the region. Future treated effluent discharges from the proposed Mdloti Wastewater Works (still to be developed by eThekwini Municipality) back into uMdloti River will form part of the additional flow requirements needed for the Reserve. No Reserve determinations have been conducted on the other rivers within this region. Detailed estuarine studies have been undertaken on uMdloti and uThongathi rivers (2008). The DWA (2015) study will determine the reserve of the uMdloti River and its associated impacts on water resources.

119

Figure 4.18 Groundwater potential in the Mdloti Region.

120

Figure 4.19 Percentage compliance vs. non-compliance with the Resource Quality Objective for Hazelmere WTP.

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Hazelmere Algae (Main Basin)


0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Turbidity - Mdloti inflow


0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

SRP - Mdloti inflow


86%88%90%92%94%96%98%

100%

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

E. coli - Mdloti inflow

% age compliance with RQO % age compliance with RQO

121


According to the Mvoti to Mzimkulu ISP (DWS 2004) the water balance of this region is in deficit by 8 million m3/annum (22 Ml/day). Umgeni Water has maintained its water use registration with DWS for the year 2013/14 at 16.8 million m3/annum (46 Ml/day). The licence application of 33.5 million m3/annum (92 Ml/day), in anticipation of the proposed raising of Hazelmere Dam, was submitted to DWS in 2013.


Surface Water

The significant dams in the catchment are the Hazelmere Dam (Figure 4.20 and Table 4.8) in quaternary catchment U30A and Dudley Pringle Dam and Siphon Dam in quaternary catchment U30D (Table 4.9). The yields for the water resource developments in the Mdloti Region are shown in Table 4.10.

Figure 4.20 Hazelmere Dam.

122

Table 4.8 Characteristics of Hazelmere Dam.

Catchment Details

Incremental Catchment Area: 377 km2

Total Catchment Area: 377 km2

Mean Annual Precipitation: 967 mm

Mean Annual Runoff: 70.7 million m3

Annual Evaporation: 1 200 mm

Dam Characteristics

Gauge Plate Zero: 61.0 mASL

Full Supply Level: 85.98 mASL

Wall Height: 24.98 m

Net Full Supply Capacity: 17.858 million m3

Dead Storage: 2.678 million m3

Total Capacity: 17.858 million m3

Surface Area of Dam at Full Supply Level: 1.81 km2

Dam Type: Concrete gravity wall with central spillway

Crest Length: Spillway Section: 91 m Non-Spillway Section: 372 m

Type of Spillway: Uncontrolled

Capacity of Spillway: 950 m3/s

Date of completion: 1975

Table 4.9 Existing Dams in the Mdloti Region.


(million m3)

Purpose

Hazelmere Dam uMdloti 17.9 Domestic/Irrigation

Siphon Dam uThongathi 0.4 Domestic

Dudley Pringle Dam Wewe 2.3 Domestic

Table 4.10 Yield Information for the existing water resource developments in the Mdloti Region.


(million m3)

Yield (million m

3/year)


3/year)#


Hazelmere Dam uMdloti 17.9 22

(60 Ml/day) 20.0

(54.8 Ml/day) 18.5

(50.7 Ml/day)

Siphon Dam uThongathi 0.4 Not Available Not Available Not Available

Dudley Pringle Dam Wewe 2.3 Not Available Not Available Not Available

# Excluding Ecological Reserve

123

Groundwater

Umgeni Water manages, amongst others, two significant groundwater schemes in the Mdloti Catchment on behalf of the ILembe District Municipality, namely Driefontein and Ntabaskop. Driefontein production borehole has a sustainable yield of 180 kl/day and pumps to a distribution reservoir that feeds the Driefontein community. The borehole and reservoir are fitted with a remote water level monitoring system, which allows Umgeni Water to manage the scheme more effectively. The borehole is drilled into Natal Group Sandstone to a depth of 110 m and is cased to the bottom. The water strike occurs at 72 m in fractured sandstone. The borehole does not intersect any dolerite dykes or geological lineaments. The Ntabaskop scheme is a conjunctive use scheme, with a single production borehole augmenting the surface water supply. The sustainable yield of the borehole is unknown.

Operating Rules

The North Coast region from Phoenix/Verulam to KwaDukuza obtains its water primarily from Hazelmere Dam on the uMdloti River. The Phoenix area can be supplied from the Mdloti system (a maximum of 11 Ml/day) and less from the Mgeni System (Section 5.5). The supply source for this area is changed on occasion according to operational requirements. The supply of raw water to the Tongaat WTP is via a run-of-river abstraction from uThongathi River. During dry periods, the yield from this source is lower than the demands in the Tongaat area and the WTP supply is then supplemented from the Mdloti system. The major portion of the KwaDukuza water demand is currently met from the Mvoti WTP. Raw water is supplied to the WTP via run-of-river abstraction from uMvoti River. There is no storage on uMvoti River and the yield from this system is therefore limited. Any shortfall in the Mvoti system is met from the Mdloti system via the NCSS (Section 5.5).


The raising of the Hazelmere Dam (Figure 4.21) wall by 7m is scheduled to commence in 2015 after being postponed in 2013. The latest philosophy is that a “piano key” dam wall structure will be constructed instead of installing radial gates as planned before. The raising of Hazelmere Dam will not adequately provide for the long-term requirements of the North Coast region even with its interconnection with the Tongati and Mvoti systems. Therefore, augmentation of this system will be required in the future. Options that have been investigated or are in the implementation phase, or will be in the near future, include a scheme to abstract water from uThukela River in the vicinity of Mandini (Section 5.5), a scheme to utilise water from uMvoti River (Section 5.5), the reuse of treated effluent and seawater desalination (Section 7.8). The uThukela River option is currently in the construction phase. . Details of the proposed water resources infrastructure developments in the Mdloti Region are given in Table 4.11.

124

Table 4.11 Proposed water resource infrastructure for the Mdloti Region.


(million m3)

Yield (million m

3/year)


3/year)#

Historical*

1:50 1:100 1:200

Raised Hazelmere Dam uMdloti 36.1

31.0 (84.9 Ml/day)

27.7 (75.9 Ml/day)

26.5 (72.6 Ml/day)

25.7 (70.4 Ml/day)

*UW, 2011 #Excluding Ecological Reserve

125 Figure 4.21 Proposed water resource infrastructure in the Mdloti Region.

126

4.4.4 Mooi/Mgeni Region

The Mooi/Mgeni region comprises of the two tertiary catchments of U20 (uMngeni River) and V20 (Mooi River) (Figure 4.22). The major urban centres of Durban and Pietermaritzburg are situated within the Mgeni catchment. There are a number of other urban and peri-urban centres within this region including Mooi River, Rosetta, Nottingham Road, Howick, Wartburg, Cato Ridge, and the greater surrounds of both Durban and Pietermaritzburg. The urban centres from Howick towards the coast receive their water from the Mgeni system. In 2004 the demand in the Mgeni System first exceeded the system yield. With further growth in demand placing the system at a risk of failure, the DWS planned and constructed the Mooi/Mgeni Transfer Scheme-Phase 2A (Spring Grove Dam) to mitigate this risk of non-supply. With Spring Grove Dam now fully impounded, the risk of water restrictions within the next few years is expected to be minimised. In the Mooi River catchment, the only domestic and industrial water demands are associated with the town of Mooi River and Rosetta village. Numerous groundwater schemes feed many of the rural and outlying peri-urban centres in the region. uMngeni River has been fully developed with the construction of four major dams, viz. Nagle (1950), Midmar (1965), Albert Falls (1976) and Inanda (1988). Both the Mooi and Mgeni catchments are no longer open to stream flow reduction activities such as afforestation, expansion of irrigated agriculture or the construction of storage dams, i.e. they are ‘closed’ catchments. The predominant land use in the Mooi catchment is commercial agriculture, and there is large-scale irrigation of pastures and summer cash crops, with an estimated water requirement of 49 million m3/annum (Thukela Water Management Area ISP 2004). The other large water use is transfers out to the Mgeni catchment. In 1983, during a period of severe drought, the Mearns Emergency Transfer Scheme was constructed by DWS to enable water to be transferred from the Mooi River into the Mgeni catchment. The scheme consisted of a 3 m high weir and a pump station at Mearns on the Mooi River, a 13.3 km long, 1 400 mm diameter steel rising main to a break pressure tank situated at Nottingham Road and a 8.3 km long 900 mm diameter steel gravity main to an outfall structure on the Mpofana River. The emergency scheme was operated for a short period until the drought broke and was then mothballed until 1993 when Umgeni Water re-commissioned it for a short period again during a drought cycle. Since then the Mearns Emergency Transfer Scheme was operated as and when required until the commissioning of the Mooi-Mgeni Transfer Scheme (MMTS- 1) in 2003.

127

Figure 4.22 General layout of the Mooi/Mgeni Region.

128

In 2003, Phase 1 of the Mooi-Mgeni Transfer Scheme (MMTS-1) was commissioned, which ensured that a maximum flow of 3.2 m3/s could be transferred from the Mooi River into the Mgeni catchment on a more sustained basis than was possible before. Raw water is pumped from a larger Mearns Weir on the Mooi River via the transfer pipeline to an outfall on the Mpofana River. From the Mpofana River the water flows into the Lions River and then into the Mgeni River upstream of Midmar Dam. Phase 2 of the Mooi-Mgeni Transfer Scheme (MMTS-2), which incorporates the Spring Grove Dam on the Mooi River enables water to be transferred on a continuous basis at a rate of 3.2 m3/s. Spring Grove Dam (Phase 2A) is now fully functional, while the construction of the new pump station and transfer pipeline (Phase 2B) will be completed towards the end of 2015. Once completed this scheme will be able to transfer 4.5 m3/s on a continuous basis.

Surface Water

The hydrological statistics of the catchments in the Mgeni/Mooi Region are summarised in Table 4.12.

Table 4.12 Hydrological characteristics of the Mgeni/Mooi Region (WR90).


2)

Annual Average

Evaporation (mm)

Rainfall (mm)


3/yr)

Natural Runoff (mm)

Mgeni/Mooi Mooi River (V20) 2,868 1,342 800 401.5 140

uMngeni River (U20) 4,439 1,214 921 674.0 152

Groundwater

The Mooi/Mgeni Region occurs in the KwaZulu-Natal Coastal Foreland and Northwestern Middleveld Groundwater Regions (Figure 4.23). This Groundwater Region is characterised by intergranular and fracture rock aquifers with extremely low to medium development potential. The underlying geology is mostly arenaceous rocks of the Ecca Formation.


The hydrogeologically relevant lithologies recognised in the Mooi/Mgeni region comprise sandstone, tillite and mudstone/shale supporting fractured groundwater regimes and dolerite intrusions and granite/gneiss supporting fractured and weathered groundwater regimes.

Geohydrology

The overall median yield (0.33 ℓ/s) of boreholes tapping the Natal Group Sandstone (NGS) identifies this lithology as one of the more productive hydrogeological units in the Mgeni catchment. The highest percentage of boreholes (8%) yielding greater than 4.5 ℓ/s can be found in this lithology. The mudstone/shale of the Ecca Group occurs almost entirely inland at the head of uMngeni River and is the dominant lithology around Pietermaritzburg and Howick. Boreholes tapping these lithologies have median yields of 0.4 ℓ/s.

129

The tillite of the Dwyka Formation in the Mgeni catchment supports an overall median yield of 0.14 ℓ/s and a relatively high percentage (40%) of dry boreholes. The granite/gneisses of the Natal Metamorphic Province (NMP) flank uMngeni River and are concentrated around Nagle and Inanda dams. This lithological unit supports a median yield of 0.18 ℓ/s. An analysis of baseflow-derived stream run-off values per quaternary catchment in the Mgeni catchment suggests that groundwater recharge from rainfall varies in the range 3% to 7% of the mean annual precipitation. In the Mooi catchment, natural groundwater discharge occurs in the form of springs, seeps and in isolated cases, uncapped artesian boreholes. The wetlands and dams in the headwaters of the Mooi River are supported by perennial groundwater seeps associated with the dolerite sill intrusions in the mudstone/shale lithologies. Springs rising in the sandstone and granite/gneiss lithologies relate to structural features (faults and fracture zones, lineaments). An analysis of baseflow-derived stream run-off values per quaternary catchment suggests that groundwater recharge from rainfall varies in the range 3% to 7% of the mean annual precipitation, similar to that found in the Mgeni catchment.


The greatest widespread demand on the groundwater resources in the Mgeni/Mooi Region is represented by its use as a source of potable water for communities in the rural areas and, to a lesser extent, households in the farming areas. Other demands of a more concentrated nature are represented by its use to supplement rainfall and traditional surface water supplies for irrigation. The sandstone of the Natal Group represents the most productive groundwater-bearing lithology, followed by mudstone/shale lithologies, the granite/gneiss lithologies and the tillite sediments of the Dwyka Tillite Formation. A good to fair correlation exists between boreholes supporting yields in the moderate (greater than 0.5 ℓ/s to less than 3.0 ℓ/s) and high (greater than 3.0 ℓ/s) classification ranges and structural features represented by faults and remotely sensed lineaments (Figure 4.23).

130

Figure 4.23 Groundwater potential in the Mooi/Mgeni Region.

131

Water Quality

Mgeni Catchment

Nutrients in the catchment were, on a number of occasions, above the set RQOs. The non-compliance was largely due to the sewer problems experienced in the Pietermaritzburg CBD. Due to poor sewage infrastructure in the Mpophomeni area, sewage contamination has been an on-going problem. The agricultural activities in the catchment area also contributed in the nutrients load which has resulted in elevated alga counts. Algae non-compliance against the RQO has increased compared to the previous year (Figure 4.24). The Nagle system has shown elevated turbidity and E. coli in the river. These problems are probably caused by the improper management of farm effluent ponds upstream and poor farming practices in the catchment (Figure 4.24). The Inanda system has shown significant nutrient load, this nutrient enrichment is largely due to catchment run-off from the Pietermaritzburg/uMsunduzi area. Due to the impoundment length, morphology, and assimilative capacity, these problems do not affect abstraction water quality (Figure 4.24).

Mooi System

Water quality in the Mooi Catchment ranges from excellent too good. This is due to the low density farming practices in the catchment. Both the Mooi and the Little Mooi rivers flow into Mearns Weir, and through the seasonal variations within the catchment no significant issues have arisen.

Groundwater

The ambient water quality of groundwater in the Mooi/Mgeni Region is generally excellent based on observations that 83% of recorded field observations of electrical conductivity parameters do not exceed a value of 450 mg/l (70 mS/m). It appears that the least saline groundwater is associated with dolerite intrusions (median value of 11 mS/m) and the most saline with the tillite lithology (median value of 56 mS/m).

Reserve

The ecological Reserve has not yet been determined for the Mgeni catchment. However, estimates of the Reserve indicate that the ecological Reserve will have a large impact on the availability of water in the catchment. Considering that the catchment is already stressed, the determination and implementation of the ecological Reserve will require careful consideration. Estimates of environmental flow requirements represented as compensation flows released from the main dams in the Mgeni System are indicated in Table 4.13. As with the IFRs, the estuarine flow requirement (EFR) of the uMngeni River also has not been determined in a comprehensive manner, however, preliminary estimates have been simulated in the past.

132

Figure 4.24 Percentage compliance vs. non-compliance with the Resource Quality Objective for Midmar WTP.

0%

50%

100%

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Algae - Midmar Main basin


0%

50%

100%

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Turbidity - Mgeni/ Midmar Inflow


0%

50%

100%

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

SRP - Mgeni/ Midmar Inflow


0%

50%

100%

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Nitrates - Mgeni/ Midmar Inflow


0%

50%

100%

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

E. coli - Mgeni/ Midmar Inflow


133

Figure 4.25 Percentage compliance vs. non-compliance with the Resource Quality Objective for the Nagle System.

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Nagle Algae (Main Basin)


0%

50%

100%

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Nitrates - Nagle Inflow


90%

95%

100%

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

E. coli - Nagle Inflow


90%

95%

100%

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

E. coli - Nagle Inflow


0%

50%

100%

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

SRP- Nagle Inflow


134

Figure 4.26 Percentage compliance vs. non-compliance with the Resource Quality Objective for Inanda System

0%

50%

100%

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Inanda Algae (Main Basin)


0%

50%

100%

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Turbidity - Mgeni-Inanda Inflow


0%

50%

100%

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

SRP - Mgeni-Inanda Inflow


0%

50%

100%

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Nitrates - Mgeni-Inanda Inflow


0%20%40%60%80%

100%

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

E. coli - Mgeni-Inanda Inflow


135

Table 4.13 Summary of environmental (compensation) flow requirements.

Description Simulated Compensation Flow

(m3/s) (million m

3/annum)

Midmar Compensation 0.900 28.40

Albert Falls Compensation 0.710 22.41

Inanda Compensation 1.500 47.34

Mgeni EFR 1.426 45.00

As part of the KZN Water Reconciliation Study (DWA, 2011), to assess the impacts of re-utilising treated waste water, the rapid reserve for uMngeni River estuary was undertaken. The present ecological status of the estuary was found to be a Class E which indicates that it is highly degraded. The study shows that the estuary importance score is 82 which means that it is a highly important estuary. The study recommends that the ecological status of the Mgeni estuary should be improved to at least a category D. The DWS (2015) study will determine the reserve of uMngeni River and the associated impacts on water resources. A detailed assessment of the Ecological Reserve for the whole of this uThukela Water Management Area (WMA) was recently undertaken, and this included the Mooi River catchment. This assessment indicated an over allocation of water, particularly on the Little Mooi River. In order to ensure that the correct Reserve flows are maintained in the Little Mooi River about a 50% curtailment of the existing registered irrigation and afforestation is required. Additionally all existing farm dams will be required to release their rightful share of the Reserve. Currently none of these dams are contributing to the Reserve. Hence a compulsory licensing process will need to be completed by DWS before the Reserve can be fully implemented in the Mooi catchment. The necessary river outlets have been included into the design of Spring Grove Dam to ensure that it will be able to release the required volumes of water needed for the Reserve.


The yield of the Mooi/Mgeni System (MMTS-1) was 334 million m3/annum (915 Mℓ/day). The Spring Grove Dam Phase 2A, which has been completed, has improved the yield of the Mooi/Mgeni System to 381 million m3/annum (1044 Ml/day). When the construction of MMTS Phase 2B is complete, the yield of the Mooi/Mgeni System will increase to 394 million m3/annum (1080 Mℓ/day). Currently, the deficit is about 25 million m3/annum (69 Mℓ/day) and during the financial year 2013/14, Umgeni Water increased its water use registration with DWS from 397 to 406 million m3/annum (1088 to 1112 Mℓ/day) for the entire Mgeni System. The licence application of 470 million m3/annum (1288 Mℓ/day), in anticipation of the support from Spring Grove Dam, was submitted to DWS in 2013.


There are four major dams on uMngeni River, namely Midmar (Figure 4.28), Albert Falls (Figure 4.29), Nagle (Figure 4.30) and Inanda (Figure 4.31) dams. These dams are all used as part of the

136

water supply system. The characteristics of these dams are summarised in Table 4.14, Table 4.15, Table 4.16 and Table 4.17, respectively. The characteristics of Mearns Weir and Spring Grove Dam (Figure 4.32 and Figure 4.33) are summarised in Table 4.18, and Table 4.19. Henley Dam (Table 4.20), situated on the Msunduzi River, a tributary of uMngeni River is no longer used for water supply purposes. All significant dams within the Mooi/Mgeni Region are listed in Table 4.21. Significant growth in water demand from the Mgeni System has occurred since the implementation of MMTS-1, such that the required level of assurance of supply has been compromised. The Spring Grove Dam (Phase 2A) has now been commissioned and the dam is currently impounding (Figure 4.27). Initial impoundment began in March 2013 and water transfers from this scheme through releases to the Mearns Weir commenced in November 2014.

Figure 4.27 Historical storage of Spring Grove Dam.

During Phase 2A water will be released from Spring Grove Dam down the Mooi River into the impoundment of the Mearns Weir (MMTS-1). From there it will be abstracted and transferred, using the spare capacity of the existing transfer infrastructure. The MMTS-1 has been a run-of-river transfer scheme and hence, traditionally only been operated for 3 to 4 months of the year. Releases from Spring Grove Dam will allow transfers to occur almost continually for the entire year thereby increasing the yield of the Mgeni System.

137

Table 4.14 Characteristics of Midmar Dam.

Catchment Details



Mean Annual Precipitation: 1 011 mm



Dam Characteristics

Gauge Plate Zero: 1 021.7 mASL

Full Supply Level: 1 047.5 mASL

Wall Height: 25.8 m





Dam Type: Concrete gravity with earth embankments

Crest Length: Spillway Section: 139.6 m Non-Spillway Section: 1 283.4 m


Capacity of Spillway: 3 150 m3/s

Date of Completion: 1963

Figure 4.28 Midmar Dam.

138

Table 4.15 Characteristics of Albert Falls Dam.

Catchment Details


Total Catchment Area: 1 654 km2

Mean Annual Precipitation: 1 005 mm



Dam Characteristics



Wall Height: 21.6 m





Dam Type: Concrete with earth embankments

Crest Length: Spillway Section: 100 m Non-Spillway Section: 1 810 m




Figure 4.29 Albert Falls Dam.

139

Table 4.16 Characteristics of Nagle Dam.

Catchment Details






Dam Characteristics



Wall Height: 24.1 m





Dam Type: Concrete gravity dam





Figure 4.30 Nagle Dam.

140

Table 4.17 Characteristics of Inanda Dam.

Catchment Details






Dam Characteristics



Wall Height: 31.2 m





Dam Type: Concrete with earth embankments





Figure 4.31 Inanda Dam.

141

Table 4.18 Characteristics of Mearns Weir.

Catchment Details

Incremental catchment area 242 km2

Total catchment area 887 km2

Mean annual precipitation 857 mm

Mean annual runoff 44.12 million m3

Annual evaporation 1350 mm

Weir Characteristics

Gauge plate zero 1375.11 mASL

Full supply level 1382 mASL

Wall Height: 6.89 m

Net full supply capacity 5.116 million m3

Dead storage 0.0 million m3

Total capacity 5.116 million m3

Surface area of weir at full supply level 2.375 km2

Weir type Concrete

Material content of a weir wall Concrete

Crest length 165m

Type of spillway Uncontrolled

Capacity of spillway 1 970 m3/s

Date of Completion: 2003*

*Construction of the initial weir completed in 1983

Figure 4.32 Mearns Weir.

142

Figure 4.33 Spring Grove Dam

Table 4.19 Characteristics of Spring Grove Dam.

Catchment Details




Mean Annual Runoff: 131 million m3

Annual Evaporation: 1350 mm

Dam Characteristics



Wall Height: 26.4 m




Dam Type: Concrete with earth embankment

Crest Length: Spillway Section: 70 m Non-Spillway Section: To be confirmed


Capacity of Spillway: To be confirmed


143

Table 4.20 Characteristics of Henley Dam.

Catchment Details






Dam Characteristics

Gauge Plate Zero: 900 mASL


Wall Height: 23.3 m






Crest Length: Spillway Section: To be confirmed Non-Spillway Section: To be confirmed




144

Table 4.21 Existing Dams in the Mooi/Mgeni Region.


(million m3)

Purpose

Spring Grove Dam Mooi 139.5 Domestic

Craigie Burn Dam Mnyamvubu 23.5 Irrigation

Mearns Weir Mooi 5.1 Domestic

Midmar Dam uMngeni 235.4 Domestic

Albert Falls Dam uMngeni 289.1 Domestic

Nagle Dam uMngeni 23.2 Domestic

Inanda Dam uMngeni 241.7 Domestic

Raw water is supplied from Midmar Dam under gravity to DV Harris WTP, and under pumping (8 m lift) to Midmar WTP (Section 5.2). Water is released from Albert Falls Dam to Nagle Dam from where it is supplied under gravity to Durban Heights WTP (Section 5.2). Raw water is supplied from Inanda Dam under gravity to Wiggins WTP (Section 5.2). It is possible to pump water from Inanda Dam to Durban Heights WTP utilising two different pump sets, viz. the ‘Shaft’ pumps, comprising two pumps capable of delivering a maximum of 100 Ml/day, and the ‘Inanda’ pumps, comprising two pumps capable of delivering a maximum of 100 Ml/day. Thus, it is possible to pump a total of 200 Ml/day from Inanda Dam to Durban Heights WTP. A third Shaft Pump, delivering 50 Ml/day, has been installed and the total pumping capacity will be 250 Ml/d. In 2003, Phase 1 of the Mooi-Mgeni Transfer Scheme (MMTS-1) was commissioned. This phase consisted of an 8 m high weir on the Mooi River at Mearns (at the site of the original weir), an additional 1.6 m3/s standby pump set in the existing pump station, and the raising of the Full Supply Level (FSL) of Midmar Dam by 3.5 m. This transfer scheme makes use of the original 21.6 km steel transfer pipeline installed in 1983. The pump station at Mearns contains four low-lift pumps (one pump set being a standby) and three high-lift pumps (one pump set being a standby). Each high-lift pump is capable of delivering 1.6m3/s, and the pumps can either be run separately or together, thereby delivering a maximum of 3.2 m3/s. Raw water is pumped from the Mearns Weir on the Mooi River via the transfer pipeline to an outfall on the Mpofana River. From the Mpofana River the water flows into the Lions River and into uMngeni River upstream of Midmar Dam. Other than the Mearns Weir on the Mooi River, there are two other major dams in the catchment, i.e., Craigie Burn Dam on the Mnyamvubu River, which is a tributary of the Mooi River and Spring Grove Dam on the Mooi River. Craigie Burn Dam is owned and operated by DWS. It has a capacity of 23.5 million m3 and mainly supplies water to approximately 2000 ha of predominantly citrus farming irrigation downstream of the dam and along the Mooi River at Muden. The dam is also going to be used for domestic supply. There is an abundance of farm dams in the Mooi catchment, especially in the upper reaches. The yield information of the existing water resources infrastructure was revised in 2006 based on the re-evaluation of the water requirements in the Mooi River catchment, and is presented in Table 4.22.

145

Table 4.22 Yield Information for the existing and proposed water resource infrastructure in the Mooi/Mgeni Region.

Phase Position in

system Historic Firm

Yield Stochastic Yield

(1 in 50 years risk of failure)

Stochastic Yield (1 in 100 years risk of failure)

- - million

m3/annum

million m

3/annum

Mℓ/day million

m3/annum

Mℓ/day

System without MMTS (Initial)

Midmar Dam 60.8 78.0 213.7 66.3 181.6

Nagle Dam 166.9 210.0 575.3 189.5 519.2

Inanda Dam 269.5 309.8 848.8 279 764.4

MMTS-1 (Previous)

Midmar Dam 114.2 152.0 416.4 117.7 322.5

Nagle Dam 220.8 266.0 728.8 242.5 664.4

Inanda Dam 321 349.0 956.2 334 915.1

MMTS-2A (Current)

Midmar Dam 161.7 178.7 489.6 166.4 455.9

Nagle Dam 267.7 310 849.3 289.7 793.7

Inanda Dam 367.9 394.4 1080.6 380.8 1043.3

MMTS-2B (Proposed)

Midmar Dam 177.3 192.0 526.0 173.8 476.2

Nagle Dam 283.5 329.0 901.4 302 827.4

Inanda Dam 384 408.0 1117.8 394 1079.5

Note: Yields indicated above are obtained from DWSF Report No. P WMA 07/V20/00/1005, MMTS-2: Bridging Study No. 5: Stochastic Hydrology and Determination of Yield and Transfer Capacity of the Mooi-Mgeni Transfer Scheme (MMTS) and Operating Rules of the Mooi and Mgeni Systems with the MMTS in place, compiled for DWSF by WRP (Pty) Ltd. in 2005. The yields shown are those for all “e”-scenarios which provide the maximum yield values. MMTS-2A = Spring Grove Dam supporting MMTS-1 via releases to Mearns Weir.

MMTS-2B = Spring Grove Dam with new transfer directly from the dam with increased capacity.

Groundwater is mainly utilised in the Mgeni catchment by private landowners as the majority of towns are supplied by reticulated surface water. Groundwater is utilised to supplement irrigation and for stock watering. The exception is the Nottingham Road and Rosetta areas which are supplied by production boreholes. Very high yielding boreholes (140 kl/hr) have been drilled in the area. The contact zones between the shale’s, sandstone and the intrusive dolerite dykes are the water bearing features in the areas. There are no faults or other structural features to target. In the Howick area groundwater is abstracted and bottled for commercial purposes. Although not accurately known it has been reported that the formal settlement of Mfolweni currently obtains their domestic water supply (in the order of 2000 kl/day) from boreholes.

Operating Rules

The uMngeni River System is relatively complex in terms of its operation. In addition to the four dams, the system is augmented by the Mooi River System by using the transfer scheme from the Mearns Weir on the Mooi River. Once Phase 2 of the Mooi-Mgeni Transfer Scheme is completed, Spring Grove Dam will be able to transfer water directly to the Mpofana outfall through a dedicated pipeline and pump station. There are four dams on uMngeni River and water can be supplied to the demand centres from these dams via various routes, allowing for considerable flexibility in terms of the operation of the system (refer to description in the previous section and to the system schematic (Figure 4.34).

146

Figure 4.34 Schematic of the Mgeni System.

The area of Phoenix to the north of Durban can be supplied from either the Mgeni System or from the Mdloti system (Section 5.2). The source of water to this area is currently determined through operational requirements and gets swapped over on occasion. There is also a linkage from the Mgeni System through to the Upper and Middle South Coast Regions. Water from the Mgeni System is utilised to supplement the supply from the local sources to this area (Section 5.2). Whenever possible the Mgeni System demands are supplied under gravity (i.e. not utilising the pumps at Mearns Weir and Inanda Dam). Due to the current stressed nature of the Mgeni System where demands far exceed the required assurance of supply from the system, a revised operating rule was developed to maximise yield at all times and cost becomes a secondary consideration. This revised operating rule targets the maximum utilisation of the resource, through pumping at any time of the year as long as there is excess water to pump and is defined as follows:

Full pumping from the Mooi River until Albert Falls Dam reaches near full supply capacity. This is both for the current system and when Spring Grove Dam and its conveyance are implemented. The water requirements in the Mooi System have to be satisfied first before any transfers to the Mgeni System can occur;

If Nagle Dam is spilling the Inanda Dam pumps are to be shut down;

When Nagle or Albert Falls Dam are not spilling, then allow the maximum supply to come from Inanda Dam (through all the available pumps). All the Inanda Dam pumps, including the Shaft pumps, are operated to maximise the supply from Inanda Dam and prevent spills as far as possible; and

Allow for possible down-time on all pumping routes in the system to account for scheduled maintenance and unplanned operational interruptions (e.g. as a result of power failures).

147

The option to use rainfall forecasts to determine pumping requirements is available. Research is currently being undertaken to determine a methodology to forecast periods of high and low rainfall. The objective of this is to refine the pumping operating rule and determine periods when pumping could be stopped to minimise unnecessary energy usage.


During the second phase (MMTS-2B) a new pumping station will be constructed at Spring Grove Dam from where the bulk of the transfer from the Mooi to uMngeni River will take place. The MMTS-2B would include the construction of a new transfer pipeline from Spring Grove Dam. Apart from following an initial short route from the dam through an area of small holdings to the existing transfer route, the pipeline would follow the same route as that of the existing Mearns pipeline to the discharge point in the Mpofana River. During this stage water from the Mooi River will be transferred from Spring Grove Dam via the MMTS-2B pipeline (and pumped against a much lower head than that from the Mearns Weir) while water from the Little Mooi River will be transferred from Mearns Weir utilising the existing MMTS-1 transfer pipeline (Figure 4.35). Due to the long-term water security situation of the Mgeni system, it is necessary to proceed directly with the implementation of the MMTS-2B of the project. Analyses indicate that not only should the MMTS-2B be implemented as soon as possible, but that further augmentation of the system is also required. In this regard, options being considered currently include the Mkhomazi-Mgeni Transfer Scheme (known as the uMkhomazi Water Project; Section 5.1), the reuse of treated effluent, and seawater desalination. Refer to Table 4.22 for yields of the proposed infrastructure. The construction of MMTS-2B is expected to be complete in 2015.

148

Figure 4.35 Proposed water resource infrastructure in the Mooi/Mgeni Region.

149

4.4.5 Mlazi/Lovu Region

This region comprises of two tertiary catchments U60 (uMlaza River) and U70 (Lovu River) (Figure 4.36). The region is dominated by irrigation and afforestation, with irrigation being the main land use. The urban and peri-urban areas within this region are Richmond and Amanzimtoti which receive their water from boreholes and Beaulieu Dam, and Nungwane Dam, respectively. The Mgeni System also supports the coastal area.

Surface Water

The hydrological characteristics for this region are summarised in Table 4.23.

Table 4.23 Hydrological characteristics of the Mlazi/Lovu Region (WR90).


2)

Annual Average

Evaporation (mm)

Rainfall (mm)


3/a)

Natural Runoff (mm)

Mlazi/Lovu uMlaza River (U60) 1 439 1,200 833 184.0 128

Lovu River (U70) 944 1,200 895 124.0 131

Hydrological Characteristics of the Upper uMlaza River (DWS 2013)

U60A Upper Umlaza River 105 1,200 981 22.65 216

Groundwater

The Mlazi/Lovu Region occurs in the KwaZulu-Natal Coastal Foreland and Northwestern Middleveld Groundwater Regions (Figure 4.9). As such this Groundwater Region is characterised by and combination of intergranular and fractured arenaceous rocks.


The hydrogeologically relevant lithologies recognised in the Mlazi/Lovu Region comprise sandstone, tillite and granite/gneiss.

Geohydrology

The Natal Group Sandstone (NGS) is the most important water bearing lithology in the two catchments. Boreholes favourable located in the NGS provide good yields. Yields of 3 ℓ/s (greater than 10 000 ℓ/hr) are not uncommon where large scale fracturing/faulting provide conduits for groundwater movement.

150


Primary groundwater supplies using boreholes fitted with handpumps, windpumps or submersibles are obtainable in most of the lithological units. The exceptions are the Dwyka formation (tillites) or massive granites (southern portions of the Mlazi/Lovu Region). In these areas groundwater supply could be obtained within an adjacent fault valley where the potential for high yielding boreholes is much enhanced. The sandstone of the Natal Group represents the most productive groundwater-bearing lithology, followed by the granite/gneiss lithologies and the tillite sediments of the Dwyka Tillite Formation. The highly fractured nature of the NGS in the Golokodo section of Umbumbulu and along linear fault features near Folweni are areas where high yielding boreholes are prevalent (Figure 4.37).

Water Quality

The problematic determinands in this catchment seem to have been E. coli, nitrates and turbidity. There has been an improvement in water quality in these determinands in 2014 (Figure 4.38).

151

Figure 4.36 General layout of the Mlazi/Lovu Region.

152

Figure 4.37 Groundwater potential in the Mlazi/Lovu Region.

153

Figure 4.38 Percentage compliance vs. non-compliance with the Resource Quality Objective for Nungwane.

85%

90%

95%

100%

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Algae - Nungwane Main Basin


0%

50%

100%

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Turbidity - Nungwane Inflow


0%

50%

100%

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Nitrates- Nungwane Inflow


70%

80%

90%

100%

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

E.coli - Nungwane Inflow


0%

50%

100%

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

SRP - Nungwane Inflow


154

Reserve

No comprehensive assessment of the ecological Reserve of either uMlaza or the Lovu rivers has been undertaken to date. The catchment has surplus water available, even taking the estimated ecological Reserve requirements into account. There is no urgency for the ecological Reserve determination and compulsory licensing processes in the catchment. The DWA (2015) study will determine the reserve of the uMlaza and Lovu rivers and the expected impacts of this reserve on water resources.


According to the Mvoti to Mzimkulu ISP (DWS, 2004) the water balance of this region is in surplus by 1 million m3/annum (2.7 Ml/day). Umgeni Water has maintained the water use registration of 9.67 million m3/annum (26.5 Ml/day) with DWS in the 2013/14 financial year for the Nungwane Dam abstractions.


The significant dams in the region are Shongweni Dam on the uMlaza River (Quaternary U60D), Nungwane Dam situated on the Nungwane River (Quaternary U70D), which is a tributary of the Lovu River, Beaulieu Dam on the Lovu River (quaternary U70A), and Umgababa Dam situated on the Mgababa River within the U70 catchment (Figure 4.36 and Table 4.24). The Nungwane Dam (Figure 4.39, Table 4.25 and Table 4.26) is owned and operated by Umgeni Water and supplies raw water to the Amanzimtoti WTP. Beaulieu Dam is an irrigation dam but is also used to supply water to the Richmond WTP. The Umgababa and Shongweni dams were initially used to supply water for mining and domestic purposes respectively, but are no longer used as such, and have become recreational facilities.

Figure 4.39 Nungwane Dam.

155

Table 4.24 Dams in the Mlazi/Lovu Region.

Table 4.25 Characteristics of Nungwane Dam.

Catchment Details






Dam Characteristics



Wall Height: 16.75 m






Crest Length: Spillway Section: 76.2 m Non-Spillway Section: 312.5 m




Table 4.26 Yield Information for the existing water resource developments in the Mlazi/Lovu Region.


(million m3)

Yield (million m

3/year)


3/year)


Nungwane Dam Nungwane 2.24 2.2 (6.0 Ml/day)

3.6*

(9.9 Ml/day) 3.3

*

(9.0 Ml/day)

* Umgeni Water, 2012


(million m3)

Purpose

Nungwane Dam Nungwane 2.14 Domestic

Umgababa Dam Umgababa 1.28 Recreation

Beaulieu Dam Lovu 2.40 Irrigation/Domestic

Shongweni Dam uMlaza 4.50 Recreation

156

Sustained irrigation utilising groundwater from production boreholes occur in the Umlaas, Eston and Richmond areas. As an example of the quantities of groundwater being extracted for irrigation purposes, production boreholes discharging at between 5 to 20 ℓ/s are currently being utilised in the vicinity of Richmond. Richmond town also abstracts groundwater to augment its surface water supply from Beaulieu Dam. Six boreholes are utilised and have recorded pump tested yields of 470 kl/day in total. Previous studies (E. Martenelli & Associates 1999) have indicated that no groundwater management system is in place and that the boreholes are being over abstracted. The boreholes are manually operated and are often pumped for 24 hours continuously, allowing no time for recovery. As a result the aquifer is being mined, borehole yields will decline and the groundwater supply will ultimately fail.

Operating Rules

Raw water is supplied to the Amanzimtoti WTP from Nungwane Dam for treatment and distribution to the surrounding areas and to the upper and middle South Coast areas. This supply is limited and current demand exceeds the assured yield of the dam. It is therefore being augmented with potable water from the Mgeni System (Section 5.4) via the South Coast Augmentation Pipeline.


No significant water resource developments are planned for this region, primarily because the water resources available for use are limited. Sedimentation in these rivers is also a constraint to development. The Richmond Pipeline (Section 7.4.7) is currently being constructed to supply potable water from the Mgeni System to Richmond and the surrounding areas.

4.4.6 Mkhomazi Region

The uMkhomazi River has its source at an elevation of approximately 3000 m above sea level in the Drakensberg Mountains. The region encompasses the entire U10 tertiary catchment (Figure 4.40). The river flows in a south-easterly direction and enters the Indian Ocean near the town of Umkomaas about 40 km south of Durban. Several large tributaries, including the Loteni, Nzinga, Mkomazane, Elands and Xobho rivers flow into the Mkhomazi. The region includes the small towns of Bulwer, Impendle, Ixopo, Mkhomazi, Craigieburn and Magabheni which have small water requirements. The catchment is currently fairly undeveloped with the main land use activities being commercial forestry and irrigated areas in the central catchment areas around the towns of Bulwer, Richmond, Ixopo and Impendle. There is a large industrial abstraction for Sappi Saiccor near the coastal town of Umkomaas.

Surface Water

The hydrological characteristics for this region are summarised in Table 4.27 and Table 4.28.

157

Table 4.27 Hydrological characteristics of uMkhomazi River catchment (DWA 2013)

Quaternary Catchment

Incremental Area (km

2)

MAP (mm)

MAE (mm)

Incremental Natural MAR

(Million m3/a) (mm/a) (% MAP)

U10A 418 1287 1300 209.52 501 39

U10B 392 1176 1300 164.49 420 36

U10C 267 1091 1300 96.70 362 33

U10D 337 999 1300 98.22 291 29

U10E 327 1034 1300 100.92 309 30

U10F 379 963 1300 67.08 177 18

U10G 353 981 1250 70.12 199 20

U10H 458 924 1200 82.66 180 20

U10J 505 878 1200 77.99 154 18

U10K 364 793 1200 40.42 111 14

U10L 307 758 1200 29.56 96 13

U10M 280 858 1200 40.06 143 17

Total 4387 981 1252 1077.74 246 25

Table 4.28 Hydrological characteristics of the uMkhomazi Region (Umgeni Water 2002 & DWA 2013).

Region River (Catchment) Incremental Area

(km2)

Annual Average

Evaporation (mm)

Rainfall (mm)


3/yr)

Natural Runoff (mm)

Mkhomazi Impendle 1,422 1,300 1,138 567.9 399.4

Smithfield 632 1,300 1,017 163.2 258.2

Ngwadini 2,242 1,200 875 324.5 144.7

Mkhomazi Estuary 91 1,200 855 11.3 124.2

Luhane 46.3 1,361 980 7.5* 161.9

* Present day MAR

Groundwater

The Mkhomazi Region occurs in the KwaZulu-Natal Coastal Foreland and Northwestern Middleveld Groundwater Regions (Figure 4.9). As such this Groundwater Region is characterised by and combination of intergranular and fractured arenaceous rocks.


The hydrogeologically relevant lithologies recognised in the Mkhomazi Region comprise sandstone, tillite and mudstone/shale supporting fractured groundwater regimes and dolerite intrusions and granite/gneiss supporting fractured and weathered groundwater regimes.

158

Geohydrology

The Dwyka Tillite formation has the smallest coverage in comparison to the other lithological units in the catchment (Figure 4.40). It occurs just south of Richmond where it lies exposed in the river banks of uMkhomazi. The Ecca Group is represented by the mudstones/shale of the Pietermaritzburg, Vryheid and Volksrust Formation. The foothills of the Drakensberg Mountains at the head of uMkhomazi River and the central areas of the catchment are dominated by these lithologies. These lithologies support marginal to poor borehole yields (0.1 – 0.5 ℓ/s). However the presence of extensive intrusive dolerite in the form of sheets and dykes has greatly enhanced the potential of the mudstones to store and yield groundwater.


Primary groundwater supplies using boreholes fitted with hand pumps, wind pumps or submersibles are obtainable in most of the lithological units. The exceptions are the Dwyka formation (tillites) or massive granites. In these areas groundwater supply could be obtained within an adjacent fault valley where the potential for high yielding boreholes is much enhanced (Figure 4.41). The sandstone of the Natal Group represents the most productive groundwater-bearing lithology, followed by mudstone/shale lithologies, the granite/gneiss lithologies and the tillite sediments of the Dwyka Tillite Formation. Boreholes favourably located in the Natal Group Sandstone (NGS) provide good yields. Yields of 3 ℓ/s (greater than 10 000 l/hr) are not uncommon where large scale fracturing/faulting provide conduits for groundwater movement Boreholes located in metamorphic lithologies (gneisses) indicate yield characteristics in the range 0.1 to 0.5 ℓ/s, with a median value of 0.3 ℓ/s.

Water Quality

There are prevalent sewer problems in the catchment. The sewer network continued to lose much of the sewage generated in the town to the catchment, much of it upstream of the Solly Bux Dam. This poses a risk to the treatment of water at Ixopo WW. Percentage non-compliance of E. coli against the RQO increased slightly from the previous year, as did turbidity. (Figure 4.42)

159 Figure 4.40 General layout of the Mkhomazi Region.

160

Figure 4.41 Groundwater potential in the Mkhomazi Region.

161

Figure 4.42 Percentage compliance vs. non-compliance with the Resource Quality Objective for the Ixopo Dam.

Reserve

No comprehensive assessment, using the accepted standardised methodology, has been undertaken of the ecological Reserve of uMkhomazi River to date. A Reserve determination was undertaken in the late 1990’s as part of the pre-feasibility investigations into a transfer scheme from uMkhomazi to uMngeni catchment. A comprehensive reserve determination will be undertaken as part of the DWA 2015 study taking into consideration the proposed Mkhomazi-Mgeni Transfer Scheme, also known as uMkhomazi Water Project (Section 5.2). The current Sappi Saiccor abstraction during low flows impacts on the water availability at the estuary of the uMkhomazi River and will need to be addressed as part of the future implementation of the Reserve. The pending construction of the Ngwadini Dam by Sappi Saiccor has been proposed to mitigate this concern.

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Algae - Ixopo


0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

E. coli - Ixopo


0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Turbidity- Ixopo


162


According to the Mvoti to Mzimkulu ISP (DWS, 2004) the water balance of this region is in deficit by 72 million m3/annum. The major water users in the catchment are Sappi Saiccor with a daily demand of about 150 Ml/day supplied from a run-of-river system, and widespread irrigation throughout the catchment. During the 2013/2014 financial year, Umgeni Water maintained the registered amount at 0.99 million m3/annum (2.7 Ml/day) with DWS for the Ixopo Dam abstraction.


Currently the region is unregulated and there is no major water resource infrastructure on uMkhomazi River or on any of its tributaries. The Ixopo System lies within the Mkhomazi catchment and is not connected to any of Umgeni Water’s regional bulk systems. The Ixopo system is situated at the town of Ixopo within the Harry Gwala District Municipality area. Umgeni Water owns and operates the bulk supply system comprising of water resource infrastructure, raw water pipelines, and the WTP. Potable water is sold at the WTP to the uBuhlebezwe Local Municipality who is responsible for reticulation within the town of Ixopo and the adjacent peri-urban areas (Section 5.3). The water resources that support the Ixopo System comprise the Ixopo Dam (Figure 4.43, Table 4.29 and Table 4.30) and a production borehole. These two sources are used conjunctively and supply the current Ixopo town demand of 2.5 Ml/day. The dam has a full supply capacity of 0.55 million m3 and a firm yield of 2.7 Ml/day. The production borehole is capable of a sustainable yield of about 400 kl/day using a pump cycle of 16 h/day at a rate of 25 kl/hour.

Figure 4.43 Ixopo Dam.

163

Table 4.29 Characteristics of Ixopo Dam.

Catchment Details

Incremental Catchment Area: 77.53 km2

Total Catchment Area: 77.53 km2




Dam Characteristics



Wall Height: 4 m





Dam Type: Earth embankment

Crest Length: Spillway Section: Not Available Non-Spillway Section: Not Available


Capacity of Spillway: N/A


Table 4.30 Existing Dams in the Ixopo Region.


(million m3)

Purpose

Ixopo (Homefarm) Dam Ixopo 0.55 Domestic

Operating Rules

The two water resources at Ixopo are used in a conjunctive manner. During times when Ixopo Dam (surface water supply) is spilling the borehole abstraction rate should be reduced. If there are operational problems at the WTP the borehole is often used to make up shortfalls during shutdowns or reduced production. Ixopo Dam supplies the demand without the support of the two upstream farm dams until the dam storage has drops to 20%. The 20% storage of Ixopo Dam triggers the need for support from upstream dams simultaneously. These farm dams would continue to support the Ixopo Dam until

164

dead storage is reached. Restrictions are imposed in the system when the farm dams have reached dead storage.


The current water resources of the Mgeni System are insufficient to meet the long-term water demands of its own system. Past investigations have indicated that, possibly, the most suitable long-term solution would be to develop a scheme that transfers raw water from the still undeveloped uMkhomazi River to the uMngeni catchment. Water resources development options on the uMkhomazi River (Figure 4.45) have already been investigated at a pre-feasibility level of detail with the view to augmenting the supply in the Mgeni catchment through an inter-basin transfer scheme. Various potential sites and transfer options were assessed in this investigation. The recommended scheme, known as the uMkhomazi Water Project (MWP) will comprise of two phases. The first phase (MWP-1) will consist of a once-off constructed 251 million m3, 58 m high Smithfield Dam (Table 4.31 and Figure 4.44) on the uMkhomazi River near Richmond from where water would gravity feed into a 32 km, 3.5m diameter transfer tunnel. A 15.7 million m3 balancing dam will be constructed near the tunnel exit at Baynesfield in the uMlaza River catchment. Treated water would be transferred to an appropriate delivery node within the Mgeni catchment (Section 7.2). DWS anticipates that the MWP-1 will be implemented in 2023.

The second phase (MWP-2) will comprise the construction of a large dam at Impendle further upstream on the uMkhomazi River. Once in place, water would be released from the Impendle Dam down the uMkhomazi River for abstraction and transfer at Smithfield Dam (Table 4.31). The Impendle Dam could be built either in two phases or as a once-off constructed scheme component. The MWP-2 would only be implemented at a future date when needed.

Figure 4.44 Artistic plan of Smithfield Dam

165

Figure 4.45 Proposed water resource infrastructure in the Mkhomazi Region.

166

Table 4.31 Proposed water resource infrastructure for the Mkhomazi Region.


(million m3)

Yield (million m

3/year)


3/year)

Historical 1:100

Smithfield Dam uMkhomazi 226 172 (471 Mℓ/day)

220 (602 Mℓ/day)

Impendle Dam uMkhomazi 270 204 (559 Mℓ/day)

228 (625 Mℓ/day)

Ngwadini Dam uMkhomazi (Off-channel)

10 Not Available

34 (93 Mℓ/day)

Bulwer Dam Luhane 9.8 Not Available

3.4*

(9.3 Mℓ/day)

DWA (2013) undertook a detailed hydrological assessment on the uMkhomazi and upper uMlaza River Catchments. The purpose of the assessment was to update and extend the hydrology catchment based on detailed analyses of available rainfall, evaporation and stream flow data sets, as well as estimate the historical impacts of in-catchment water use. The results from the hydrology assessment were used in a yield analysis exercise for the proposed infrastructure in the uMkhomazi Catchment and these yields are listed in Table 4.32 below.

Table 4.32 Revised yields for proposed water resource infrastructure for Mkhomazi Region*

Scenario Time Slice Support Releases

Ngwadini Dam

Yield/Target (1:100)

Smithfield Dam

Yield

(1:100)

(Smithfield to Ngwadini)

Mℓ/d Million m

3/a

Mℓ/d Million m

3/a

Ngwadini Dam 2012 None 93 34 - -

Ngwadini & Smithfield

2050 None 66 24 602 220


2050 Yes 70 26 600 219


2050 Yes 95 35 586 214


2050 Yes 150 55 537 196

* DWA, 2013 It was recognised by Umgeni Water that there was a need to reconsider previous studies regarding the Lower uMkhomazi Off-Channel Storage Dam (OCS) option to provide a reliable water supply to the South Coast area. In the late 1990s Umgeni Water, together with Sappi Saiccor, conducted an investigation into the water resource options in the lower reaches of the uMkhomazi River in order to support growing water demands in the Upper and Middle South Coast regions. This would provide an assured supply of water to the mill. Two possible sites for off-channel storage were identified in the lower reaches of the uMkhomazi River, namely the Ngwadini and Temple dams. The Ngwadini option was preferred due to the more positive social and bio-physical aspects of the development, and the larger storage volume.

167

Additional economic analyses were conducted for the Ngwadini option in order to investigate the cost implications of a single user, Sappi Saiccor, and of a joint user (UW and Sappi Saiccor) scheme with increased storage capacity. The results indicate there is merit in a joint user scheme. The design of the Ngwadini OCS Dam has been completed by Consultants appointed by Sappi Saiccor. A detailed feasibility level study is now being undertaken to investigate the supply to the Middle and Lower South Coast as well as to ‘back-feed’ to the Upper South Coast area with an increased assurance of supply. This must be done before further design or construction can be undertaken on the project. The current total demand for the South Coast is 92 Mℓ/day with Ugu District Municipality’s current demand being approximately 27 Mℓ/day and eThekwini Municipality’s demand being approximately 65Ml/d. The yield of the uMkhomazi River, with Sappi’s allocation and the Reserve supplied, is 93 Ml/day. Raw water from the OCS will be transferred via a bulk pipeline to a new Water Treatment Plant, a storage reservoir and finally to the South Coast Pipeline (SCP).

Ixopo Groundwater

The water demands of the Ixopo system have been increasing over the last few years (Section 5.3) and as a result further groundwater resources were investigated to augment the existing supply. An existing borehole situated in the valley adjacent to Ixopo Wastewater Works was pump tested in the later part of 2010 and proved to have a sustainable yield of 350 kl/day. No decision has yet been made on whether to connect this borehole to the Ixopo System.

4.4.7 Middle South Coast Region

The Middle South Coast region extends in a coastal strip from the uMkhomazi River southwards to the Mtwalume River (Figure 4.46). The region includes the Mzinto, Mpambanyoni, Mzumbe and Mtwalume river catchments in the U80 tertiary catchment. Whilst the region contains a number of rivers with significant runoff, no major impoundments exist in the region. The Umzinto supply system, which receives its water from the Umzinto WTP, includes the areas of Freeland Park, Hazelwood, Kelso, Pennington, Umzinto and Park Rynie. The Mtwalume supply system receives water from the Mtwalume WTP and includes the areas of Elysium, Ifafa, Mtwalume and Sezela. Afforestation and irrigation are widespread in the region.

Surface Water

The statistics of mean annual runoff for the catchments within the Middle South Coast region are summarised in Table 4.33.

168

Table 4.33 Hydrological characteristics for the Middle South Coast Region (WR90).


2)

Annual Average

Evaporation (mm)

Rainfall (mm)


3/yr)

Natural Runoff (mm)

Middle South Coast Mpambanyoni River (U80) 555 1,200 895 58.9 110

Mzimayi River (U80) 35 1,200 1,013 8.1 231

uMuziwezinto River (U80) 146 1,200 1,013 33.9 232

Fafa River (U80) 261 1,200 939 34.8 133

Mtwalume River (U80) 552 1,200 887 53.4 97

Mzumbe River (U80) 641 1,200 882 55.1 102

Groundwater

The Middle South Coast Region occurs in the KwaZulu-Natal Coastal Foreland Groundwater Region (Figure 4.9). This Groundwater Region is characterised by fractured aquifers which are formed by predominantly arenaceous rocks consisting of sandstone and diamictite (Dwyka tillite).


The hydrogeologically relevant lithologies recognised in the Middle South Coast comprise sandstone, mudstone/ shale, tillite and granite/gneiss.

169

Figure 4.46 General layout of the Middle South Coast Region.

170

Geohydrology

On the South Coast the thickness of the Natal Group Sandstone (NGS) is irregular, decreasing northwards from a maximum in the Eastern Cape of about 500 m, to some 200 m in Oribi Gorge. North of the Mzimkulu River it is overstepped by the Dwyka Formation. The Dwyka is the most extensive lithological unit in the region. It occurs in a belt from northeast of Ixopo southwards to Ezingolweni. The Shales of the Pietermaritzburg Formation outcrop chiefly in the uplands around Ixopo and extend southwards through Harding. They are extensively intruded by dolerite sills. The coastal regions especially prevalent in the Mtwalume catchment are the rocks of the Natal Metamorphic Province (NMP).


Primary groundwater supplies using boreholes fitted with handpumps, wind pumps or submersibles are obtainable in most of the lithological units. The exceptions are the Dwyka formation (tillites) or massive granites. In these areas groundwater supply could be obtained within an adjacent fault valley where the potential for high yielding boreholes is much enhanced. The sandstone of the Natal Group represents the most productive groundwater-bearing lithology, followed by mudstone/shale lithologies, the granite/gneiss lithologies and the tillite sediments of the Dwyka Tillite Formation. Boreholes favourable located in the Natal Group Sandstone (NGS) provide good yields. Yields of 3 ℓ/s (greater than 10 000 l/hr) are not uncommon where large scale fracturing/faulting provide conduits for groundwater movement (Figure 4.47). Boreholes located in metamorphic lithologies indicate yield characteristics in the range 0.1 to 0.5 ℓ/s, with a median value of 0.3 ℓ/sec.

Water Quality

The EJ Smith system is supplied by the EJ Smith Dam which is highly impacted by the town, farming and industrial activities upstream in the catchment. Due to interventions by the municipality the nutrient input into the river has decreased and this is reflected in Figure 4.48. E. coli non-compliance has decreased to the set of RQO in this period. However, there are still some sewage contaminated inputs from the Umzinto town catchment.

171

.

Figure 4.47 Groundwater potential in the Middle South Coast Region

172

Figure 4.48 Percentage compliance vs. non-compliance with the Resource Quality Objective for the E.J. Smith – Umzinto System.

0%

50%

100%

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Algae- EJ Smith


0%

50%

100%

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Turbidity - EJ Smith


0%

50%

100%

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Nitrate - EJ Smith


0%

50%

100%

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

E. coli - EJ Smith


0%

50%

100%

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

SRP - EJ Smith


173

The Mtwalume WTP abstracts water from the Mtwalume River and since there is no impoundment of water, point source and rainfall related pollution will have immediate effects on the raw water quality. The algal counts in 2013 have increased slightly in 2014 and breach the RQO limit (Figure 4.49). Turbidity is also a problem and this is probably caused by sand mining along the banks of the river upstream of the treatment facility. The ambient quality of groundwater in the Middle South Coast Region is generally very good with only 3% of the recorded electrical conductivity (EC) values exceeding a value of 450 mg/l (70 mS/m). Iron concentrations are generally higher than SANS 241 standards for drinking water, however, high iron concentrations are not detrimental to health but rather to taste.

Figure 4.49 Percentage compliance vs. non-compliance with the Resource Quality Objective for the Mtwalume.

0%20%40%60%80%

100%

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Algae - Mtwalume Raw


0%20%40%60%80%

100%

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

E.coli - Mtwalume Raw


0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Turbidity - Mtwalume Raw


174

Reserve

No comprehensive assessment of the ecological Reserve of the Middle South Coast Region has been undertaken to date. Estimates of the Reserve indicate that the ecological Reserve will have a large impact on the availability of water in the catchment. The DWA (2015) study will determine the reserve of South Coast rivers and the impacts of this reserve on water resources.


According to the Mvoti to Mzimkulu ISP (DWS 2004) the water balance of this region appears to be in deficit by 4 million m3/annum. The Mzinto System (Umzinto and E.J. Smith dams) is in deficit by 0.73 million m3/annum in the current 2012/13 financial year. The urban requirements include those of the towns of Pennington, Hazelwood, Umzinto, Park Rynie, Mtwalume, Ifafa, Sezela, Elysium and Hibberdene. There is a small industrial requirement (1.2 million m3/annum or 3.3 Ml/day) relating to the Sezela Sugar Mill which abstracts water directly from a run-of-river structure on the Ifafa River. Umgeni Water maintained the water use registration of 4.4 million m3/annum (12 Ml/day) with DWS for the abstractions from both Mzinto and E.J. Smith dams in the 2013/14 financial year. The registered water use for the Mtwalume run-of-river abstraction is 3.1 million m3/annum (8.5 Ml/day) in the 2013/14 financial year. Some of the individual catchments (e.g., Mzinto and EJ Smith dams) are stressed and cannot meet the domestic and industrial requirements during low flow periods. Part of the reason is the high summer season water demands due to the influx of holiday-makers to the area.


The significant infrastructure in the Middle South Coast Region include the existing impoundments of the Umzinto Dam (Figure 4.50, Table 4.34) on the Mzinto River and the E.J. Smith Dam (Figure 4.51, Table 4.35) on the Mzimayi River. Information on the existing infrastructure in the Middle South Coast area is shown in Table 4.37.

Mhlabatshane Bulk Water Supply Scheme

The Mhlabatshane BWS Scheme is to supply water to communities within the Umzumbe Municipality and the Hibiscus Coast Municipality. The scheme includes the Mhlabatshane Dam (Table 4.36) on the Mhlabatshane River (Figure 4.52), a tributary of the Umzumbe River, which supplies raw water to a new WTP in the area. It is estimated that the available water resources for the scheme is 2.4 million m3/annum after accounting for all stream flow reduction activities including the reserve (Stemele Bosch and Associates 2007). The Mhlabatshane Bulk Water Supply Scheme Phase 2 has been planned for implementation when demands increase to greater than the supply. Phase 2 includes an abstraction works on the UMzimkulu River which will pump into an upgraded 8 Ml/day WTP.

175

Table 4.34 Characteristics of Umzinto Dam.

Catchment Details






Dam Characteristics


Full Supply Level: 142 mASL

Wall Height: 16.7 m

Net Full Supply Capacity*: 0.42 million m3


Total Capacity*: 0.42 million m3


Dam Type: Concrete

Material Content of Dam Wall: Concrete: 27 500 m3




Future Capacity Once Dam Wall has been Raised: N/A

Date of Completion 1983

Figure 4.50 Umzinto Dam.

176

Figure 4.51 E.J. Smith Dam.

Table 4.35 Characteristics of E.J. Smith Dam.

Catchment Details






Dam Characteristics



Wall Height 16.1 m





Dam Type: Concrete

Material Content of Dam Wall: Concrete: 3 800 m3

Crest Length: Spillway Section: 24.4 m Non-Spillway Section: 82.6 m




177

Figure 4.52 Mhlabatshane Dam.

Table 4.36 Characteristics of Mhlabatshane Dam

Catchment Details






Dam Characteristics


Full Supply Level: 607 mASL


Wall Height: 20 m

Dead Storage: N/A



Dam Type: Concrete

Material Content of Dam Wall: Concrete with earth embankment

Crest Length: Spillway section : 25m Non-spillway section : To be confirmed

Type of Spillway: Concrete



178

Table 4.37 Yield Information for the existing water resource infrastructure in the Middle South Coast Region.


(million m3)

Yield (million m

3/annum)


3/annum)


E.J. Smith Dam Mzimayi 0.89 0.9 (2.5 Mℓ/day)

1.7 (4.7 Mℓ/day)

1.2 (3.3 Mℓ/day)

Umzinto Dam UMuziwezinto 0.42 1.6 (4.4 Mℓ/day)

3.2 (8.8 Mℓ/day)

2.0 (5.6 Mℓ/day)

Mhlabatshane Dam

Mhlabatshane 1.5 Not Available Not Available 1.5

(4.1 Mℓ/day)

Mtwalume (Run-of-River)

Mtwalume - - 1.7 (4.7 Mℓ/day)

1.2 (3.3 Mℓ/day)

Operating Rules

The operating rules for this region consider three water resource systems, viz. uMkhomazi, uMuziwezinto/Mzimayi and Mtwalume rivers as a single entity. After the commissioning of the South Coast Pipeline (SCP-1), the Craigieburn WTP, which received raw water from the Mkhomazi River, was closed and the system from the WTP is now fed with potable water from the SCP-1 (Section 5.2). There is an existing transfer link from the WTP to the Umzinto area, however this link is currently not utilised due to the growth of demands in the Craigieburn area. A schematic of this system is shown in Figure 4.53.

Umzinto

Dam

E.J.Smith

Dam

uM

uziw

ezin

to R

ive

r

Mzim

ay

i R

ive

r

Umzinto

WTP

0.073 m3/s 0.083 m

3/s

Umzinto

0.157 m3/s

Figure 4.53 Schematic of the Middle South Coast system.

The operating rule has changed over time due to the higher demands in the Middle South Coast area. It does not involve the Mtwalume and Mkhomazi systems anymore which were used to support the Umzinto area.

179

DWS commissioned a study to develop operating rules for the dams in this area and the recommended operating rule is as follows: Water supply operating rules: This operating rule requires that water from the new Ellingham to Umzinto link off the South Coast pipeline be used as soon as EJ Smith and Umzinto dams drop below full supply level. Further to this, storage in Umzinto Dam should be used before storage in EJ Smith Dam and operating levels for the top zones in both dams should be 70% and 90% of the Full Supply Capacity (FSC) for both Umzinto and EJ Smith dams, respectively. Drought operating rules:

Based on the reliability of supply criteria for domestic water defined for this study, drought operating rules have been developed for every year. As the water requirements on the system increase, restrictions would have to be implemented earlier each year. At present restrictions would be required once the combined storage in Umzinto and EJ Smith dams drops below 40%.

The upper storage of both dams should be utilised first to delay the transfer volumes from the more expensive South Coast pipeline. Umgeni Water should revert back to using the South Coast pipeline once the storage in the dams drop below the respective full supply levels.


Potential development options that have been identified in the Middle South Coast Region are (Figure 4.55):

The Umzinto Dam has been designed to be raised. This could possibly provide a short-term local solution, if the increased yield is not adversely affected by siltation and upstream land use practices; the current yield of the dam is 5.6 Ml/day. The dam was designed to be raised to a full supply level of 144.5m amsl. The yield of the raised dam (144.5 amsl) would be about 7.1 Mℓ/day (Table 4.38);

The abstraction efficiency at the existing Mtwalume Abstraction Works will need to be improved as a short-term solution. At the moment the abstraction Works can only be used when flow in the Mtwalume River exceeds an estimated flow rate of 0.2 m3/s;

The abstraction efficiency at the existing Umzinto Abstraction Works at the Esperanza Weir could be improved as a short-term measure;

Another medium to long-term solution is to link the lower Mzimkulu water resource to the Middle South Coast system; and

The long-term solution is to construct Phase 2 of the South Coast Bulk Pipeline (SCP-2) to extend the bulk water supply south from Park Rynie to Hibberdene (Section 5.4). Simultaneously, a regional abstraction and WTP facility will need to be constructed on the Lower uMkhomazi River (Section 5.4) to provide future sustainable water resources. The SCP-2 would link into the Lower South Coast system being supplied from uMzimkulu River; and

Finally, a Detailed Feasibility Study of a 150 Ml/day desalination plant is being undertaken to investigate the viability of augmenting the South Coast water resources using this technology.

Mpambanyoni Emergency Abstraction Scheme

The objective of the emergency scheme is to pump water from the Mpambanyoni River to augment the Mzinto System (Umzinto and EJ Smith dams) during times of drought as has been the case in the second half of 2014. The Department of Water and Sanitation requested Umgeni Water look into temporary raw water transfer options from adjacent catchments. The Mpambanyoni River was found to be a viable source to augment the Mzinto System (Figure 4.54).

180

This emergency scheme supplements the raw water supply to the Umzinto Water Treatment Works (WTW). The Mpambanyoni River emergency scheme is summarised as follows:

Temporary abstraction chamber at existing weir on the river.

Temporary pump station, two stages pumping from river abstraction to tank and then high

lift pumps (8 Mℓ/day).

Pipeline (5.1km)

Figure 4.54 Department of Water and Sanitation Mpambanyoni Weir.

The Mpambanyoni Emergency Scheme was implemented in December 2014 and water was pumped from mid-December 2014 to January 2015. Pumping from the Mpambanyoni River increased the level of EJ Smith Dam from 40% in December 2014 to 73% on the 19th January 2015. Had this pumping not taken place, the EJ Smith Dam level would have been at approximately 40% at the end of January 2015. This shows that this pumping was necessary and it had a positive impact on the storage of EJ Smith Dam.

181

Figure 4.55 Proposed water resource infrastructure in the Middle South Coast Region.

182

Table 4.38 Yield information for the proposed dams in the Middle South Coast Region.


(million m3)

Yield (million m

3/year)


3/year)

Historical 1:50

Raised Umzinto Dam uMuziwezinto 1.1 1.8 (4.9 Mℓ/day)

2.6

(7.1 Mℓ/day)

4.4.8 Mzimkulu Region

The Mzimkulu Region comprises of the tertiary catchment T50 (Figure 4.56). The main towns situated in the Mzimkulu catchment (Figure 4.56) are Underberg, Himeville, Creighton, Harding and Port Shepstone which is situated in the Mtamvuna Area but is supplied by uMzimkulu River. The main land uses in the catchment are domestic, rural use, afforestation and irrigation. A water resource feasibility study for the entire Mzimkulu catchment was undertaken by DWS in 2011, and some of the results have been referenced in the sections below. The uMzimkulu River water demands are primarily from agriculture and afforestation; these are the largest water users in the system representing 31% and 41% of total water use respectively. The remaining demands are rural and urban demands (10%), dryland sugar cane and stock watering (3% and 1% respectively), and invasive alien vegetation (14%). The uMzimkulu River agricultural demand is primarily supplied through direct abstractions from rivers and streams, as well as from farm dams. The catchment irrigation supply is estimated to be 87 million m3/annum and stock water demands account for an additional 4 million m3/annum (DWA, 2011). Sugarcane is not irrigated in this catchment and is considered to be a dry land crop accounting for 7 million m3/annum of the total catchment water demand.

183

Figure 4.56 General layout of the Mzimkulu Region.

184

Forest plantations are distributed throughout the Mzimkulu catchment but are concentrated in the Bisi, the Mzimkhulwana and the Middle Mzimkulu sub-catchments. Forestry is estimated to be the largest consumer of water in the Mzimkulu catchment and is estimated to use 113 million m3/annum. The industrial and domestic water demands in the rural and urban areas are supplied from point source abstractions from the Mzimkulu River and its tributaries. Rural settlements are found throughout the catchment and obtain their water from diffuse sources, including groundwater. Rural water requirements are estimated to be in the order of 7 million m3/annum and urban water requirements within the catchment are estimated to be in the order of 4 million m3/annum. Port Shepstone’s demand, which is supplied from the catchment is estimated to be some 17 million m3/annum.

Surface Water

The hydrological characteristics for the Mzimkulu Region are shown in Table 4.39.

Table 4.39 Hydrological characteristics of the Mzimkulu Region (WR90).


2)

Annual Average

Evaporation (mm)

Rainfall (mm)


3/annum)

Natural Runoff (mm)

Mzimkulu Mzimkulu River(T50) 6 678 1 190 934 1 373.0 206

Groundwater

The Mzimkulu Region occurs in the KwaZulu-Natal Coastal Foreland and Transkeian Coastal Foreland and Middleveld Groundwater Regions (Figure 4.9). As such this Groundwater Region is characterised by and combination of intergranular and fractured arenaceous rocks. The aquifer types occurring in this region are mapped as low to medium potential.

Hydrogeological Units/Geohydrology

The hydrogeologically relevant lithologies recognised in the Mzimkulu Region comprise of the siltstone/shale, feldspathic sandstones and tillites of the Karoo Supergroup; the micaceous sandstones of the Natal Group; and the granite/gneiss of the Natal Metamorphic Province (NMP). These hydrogeological units are clearly defined within the Mzimkulu River catchment and occur in distinct bands or areas. The Natal group sandstones can be found in a relatively small area to the south of the Mzimkulu River in an area known as the Oribi Flats as well as around the town of Paddock. Extending inland from the Oribi Flats the Mzimkulu River is bounded on both sides by extensive tillite deposits of the Dwyka Formation. The Dwyka Formation covers the Ntabankulu and St Faiths area and extends southwards to Izingolweni. Further west all the way up to the Mzimkulu River source at the foothills of the Drakensberg Mountains the hydrogeology is dominated by the Karoo Supergroup. Here Shales are interspersed with igneous dolerite intrusions. The Shales of the Pietermaritzburg Formation outcrop chiefly in the uplands around Ixopo and extend southwards through Harding.

185


Primary groundwater supplies using boreholes fitted with handpumps, wind pumps or submersibles are obtainable in most of the lithological units. The exceptions are the Dwyka formation (tillites) or massive granites. In these areas groundwater supply could be obtained within an adjacent fault valley where the potential for high yielding boreholes is much enhanced. The sandstone of the Natal Group represents the most productive groundwater-bearing lithology, followed by mudstone/shale lithologies, the granite/gneiss lithologies and the tillite sediments of the Dwyka Tillite Formation. Boreholes favourably located in the Natal Group Sandstone (NGS) provide good yields. Yields of 3ℓ/s (greater than 10 000 l/hr) are not uncommon where large scale fracturing/faulting provide conduits for groundwater movement (Figure 4.57). Boreholes located in metamorphic lithologies indicate yield characteristics in the range 0.1 to 0.5 ℓ/s, with a median value of 0.3 ℓ/s.

186

Figure 4.57 Groundwater potential in the Mzimkulu Region.

187

Water Quality

Borehole water quality data is very scarce, but from the information available the following general statements can be made:-

All boreholes for which there are values fall within the SANS 241 maximum permissible limits for conductivity.

Boreholes with elevated Iron (Fe) levels are not uncommon. Iron is a problem as it stains laundry but it is not a health risk.

Some boreholes exceed Nitrate (NO3) levels, but these are isolated. Generally the borehole water quality is good.

Reserve

The Reserve estimates, based on desktop studies, indicate that the Ecological Reserve will have a large impact on the availability of water in the catchment. The implementation of the Reserve will result in shortfalls that will increase in magnitude and frequency occurring every second year on average. It has been recommended from previous studies that, in order to provide for the water requirements for all user sectors, including the Reserve, the construction of an off-channel storage dam in one of the tributaries to the Mzimkulu River, should be considered. During the study undertaken by DWS in 2011, surveys were conducted at eight sites where intensive ecological data and information was collected to describe the present ecological state of the river and its major tributaries (Table 4.40).

The DWA (2015) study will determine the reserve of the Mzimkulu River and the impacts of this reserve on water resources.

Table 4.40 Summary of the ecological status of the Mzimkulu River and its tributaries.

Quaternary catchment River Level PES* REC#

T51C Mzimkulu Intermediate B B

T52A Mzimkulu Intermediate B B

T52D Mzimkulu Intermediate B B

T52M Mzimkulu Intermediate A/B A/B

T51E Pholela Rapid 3 B/C B/C

T51F Ngwangwane Rapid 3 C C

T52G Bisi Rapid 3 A/B A/B

T52L Mzimkhulwane Intermediate B B

* Present Ecological State

# Recommended Ecological Class

The main river and its tributaries are primarily in a B ecological state or higher which suggests that the ecosystem is in a near natural or slightly transformed state. It is important to point out that the investigation was only undertaken on the main river and some main tributaries and not on the smaller tributaries where local impacts may be concerning. The developments in the upper

188

catchment and the degradation in parts of the catchment due to poor land use management practices have not had negative impacts on the river ecology. The impacts of significant forest plantation increases can only be mitigated by the provision of storage, which would also improve the state of the river to meet the EWRs in the lower reaches of the catchment. This additional storage would also deliver surplus yield which could supply demands of the neighbouring catchments.


Umgeni Water has no abstractions from this region. According to the recent DWS study (DWS 2011) the deficit in the catchment can be mitigated by the construction of dams on the Ngwangwane and Bisi rivers.


There are no major storage impoundments on the Mzimkulu River. The Gilbert Eyles Dam on a tributary of the Mzimkulu River is almost completely silted up. The northern part of the Lower South Coast Water Supply System (from Hibberdene to Ramsgate, including Port Shepstone) is presently supplied from a run-of-river abstraction on the Mzimkulu River. The water is abstracted at the St Helen’s Rock (SHR) abstraction works near Port Shepstone and is further pumped to the Bhobhoyi WTP (owned and operated by Ugu Municipality). The current water requirement at Port Shepstone is 16.6 million m3/annum which is supplied from the Mzimkulu River abstraction works at St Helen’s Rock. The available run-off river yield at the St Helen’s Rock abstraction works is estimated at 49 million m3/annum excluding the Ecological Reserve (Table 4.41). However, the construction of a weir across the Mzimkulu River at St. Helen’s Rock would be required in order to access the available river flows during low river flow conditions.

Table 4.41 Yield Information for the St Helen’s Rock Abstraction site.

Site River Capacity

(million m3)

Yield (million m

3/year)


3/year)

Historical 1:100

St Helen’s Rock Mzimkulu - 49 (134 Mℓ/day)

Not Available


The abstraction works at St Helen’s Rock is currently being upgraded. The maximum possible abstraction rate will be 1.25 m3/s (39.4 million m3/annum). In discussion with Ugu District Municipality, the intermediate design capacity of the Bhobhoyi water treatment works is planned to be 75 Mℓ/day and the long-term design capacity is planned at 110 Mℓ/day (40 million m3/annum). The lower Mzimkulu system requires additional augmentation in the medium to long-term. Possible off-channel storage dam sites have been identified upstream of the abstraction works. In November 2011 DWS carried out a feasibility study on the Ncwabeni Off-Channel Storage Dam. The purpose of this scheme is to supply water to the area surrounding the Dam but mainly to augment the raw water supply system of the Bhoboyi WTW which serves Port Shepstone and the surrounding areas.

189

The Dam will yield 30 million m³/annum at a full supply level of 167.5m. DWS has finalised the design of Ncwabeni Dam and the characteristics of Ncwabeni Dam are shown in Table 4.42 and the location of this dam is depicted in Figure 4.58.

Table 4.42 Characteristics of Ncwabeni Dam.

Catchment Details






Dam Characteristics

Gauge Plate Zero: N/A

Full Supply Level: N/A


Dead Storage: Unknown



Dam Type: Concrete faced rock fill

Material Content of a Dam Wall: Concrete with earth embankment

Crest Length: Spillway section : N/A Non-spillway section : N/A

Type of Spillway: Controlled

Capacity of Spillway: N/A

Date of Construction: Not constructed yet

190

Figure 4.58 Proposed water resource infrastructure in Mzimkulu Region.

191

Linking of the Northern (Mzinto) and Southern (Mzimkulu) potable water distribution systems was found to be feasible. It was recommended to commence with a phased construction programme that would utilise the available spare capacity in the Mzimkulu system and will provide for future operational flexibility to distribute potable water northwards or southwards. A potential dam site has been identified in the upper reaches of the Mzimkulu River near Underberg (Figure 4.56). This dam could be utilised to provide a sustainable water resource for a regional bulk scheme that would supply the urban and rural areas between Underberg and the coast. Two other dam sites have been identified on the Mzimkulu River (UW 2006). These sites are located 3 km north of UMzimkulu Town and the possible wall lengths are approximately 300 m and 30 m in height. The possible storage capacities of these two dams are 230 and 335 million m3, respectively. These dams may be suitable for inter-basin transfer schemes as the high yield is not required for the UMzimkulu area.

4.4.9 Mtamvuna Region

The Mtamvuna Region comprises of the tertiary catchment of T40 (the Mtamvuna River and a few small coastal rivers to the north of it; Figure 4.59). The main water requirements are domestic; both the urban and rural sectors. The urban requirements are from the coastal towns that include Margate, Ramsgate and Port Edward. Port Shepstone is situated in this region but is supplied with water from the Mzimkulu River (Section 4.4.8). The Mtamvuna catchment consists mostly of communal land. There are also large areas of afforestation and dryland sugar cane in the catchment.

192

Figure 4.59 General layout of the Mtamvuna Region.

193

Surface Water

The hydrological characteristics for the Mtamvuna Region are shown in Table 4.43.

Table 4.43 Hydrological characteristics of the Mtamvuna Region (WR90).


2)

Annual Average

Evaporation (mm)

Rainfall (mm)


3/annum)

Natural Runoff (mm)

Mtamvuna Mtamvuna River (T40) 2 216 1 180 912 426.0 192

Groundwater

The Mtamvuna Region occurs in the KwaZulu-Natal Coastal Foreland and Transkeian Coastal Foreland and Middleveld Groundwater Regions (Figure 4.9). As such this Groundwater Region is characterised by and combination of intergranular and fractured arenaceous rocks. The aquifer types occurring in this region are mapped as low to medium potential.

Hydrogeological Units/Geohydrology

The hydrogeologically relevant lithologies recognised in the Mtamvuna Region comprise of the siltstone/shale, feldspathic sandstones and tillites of the Karoo Supergroup; the micaceous sandstones of the Natal Group; and the granite/gneiss of the Natal Metamorphic Province (NMP). These hydrogeological units are clearly defined within the Mtamvuma River catchment and occur in distinct bands or areas in the Mzimkulu River catchment. The Natal group sandstones can be found in a narrow band extending inland from the coast at the mouth of the Mtamvuma River. Inland around the Izingolweni area on both sides of the river extensive tillite deposits of the Dwyka Formation occur. The headlands of the river around the town of Harding are predominated by shales that are interspersed with igneous dolerite intrusions.


Primary groundwater supplies using boreholes fitted with handpumps, wind pumps or submersibles are obtainable in most of the lithological units. The exceptions are the Dwyka formation (tillites) or massive granites. In these areas groundwater supply could be obtained within an adjacent fault valley where the potential for high yielding boreholes is much enhanced. The sandstone of the Natal Group represents the most productive groundwater-bearing lithology, followed by mudstone/shale lithologies, the granite/gneiss lithologies and the tillite sediments of the Dwyka Tillite Formation. Boreholes favourably located in the Natal Group Sandstone (NGS) provide good yields. Yields of 3 ℓ/s (greater than 10 000 l/hr) are not uncommon where large scale fracturing/faulting provide conduits for groundwater movement (Figure 4.60). Boreholes located in metamorphic lithologies indicate yield characteristics in the range 0.1 to 0.5 ℓ/s, with a median value of 0.3 ℓ/sec.

194

.

Figure 4.60 Groundwater potential in the Mtamvuna Region.

195

Water Quality

Borehole water quality data is very scarce, but from the information available the following general statements can be made:-

All boreholes, for which there are values, fall within the SANS 241 maximum permissible limits for conductivity.

Boreholes with elevated Iron (Fe) levels are not uncommon. Iron is a problem as it stains laundry but it is not a health risk.

Some boreholes exceed Nitrate (NO3) levels, but these are isolated. Generally the borehole water quality is good.

Reserve

The catchment is in balance even after making an allowance for the ecological Reserve which means that it has surplus water. The DWA (2015) study will determine the reserve of uMtamvuna River and the impacts of this reserve on water resources.

Water Balance/Availablity

Umgeni Water has no abstractions from this region. According to the Mvoti to Mzimkulu ISP (DWS 2004) the water balance of this region appears to be in surplus by 5 million m3/annum.


There are no impoundments on the Mtamvuna River. The only significant abstraction that occurs is a run-of-river facility owned and operated by Ugu District Municipality to provide raw water to the Mtamvuna WTP. This plant supplies potable water south of Margate to Port Edward. The Mtamvuna abstraction works is located in the lower reaches of the Mtamvuna River.


There is currently no water resource development plan for the main river.

Greater Mbizana Regional Bulk Water Supply Scheme

A regional scheme is currently being implemented by Umgeni Water on behalf of Alfred Nzo District Municipality to supply a significant portion of the Mbizana Municipality (Eastern Cape) with a sustainable supply of bulk potable water for growth and development. The water resource for this scheme is a storage dam which has been constructed on the Ludeke River, a tributary of the Mtamvuna River (Table 4.44 and Figure 4.61)

196

Table 4.44 Yield Information for the Ludeke Dam in the Mtamvuna Region.

Impoundment River MAR Capacity

(million m3)

IFR Scenario

Yield (million m

3/year)


3/year)


3/year)


Ludeke Dam Ludeke 16.9 14.95

With IFR 4.6 (12.6 Mℓ/day)

5.1 (14.0 Mℓ/day)

4.2 (11.5 Mℓ/day)

Without IFR 7.5 (20.5 Mℓ/day)

8.5 (23.3 Mℓ/day)

7.5 (20.5 Mℓ/day)

Figure 4.61 Ludeke Dam.

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Table 4.43 Characteristics of Ludeke Dam

Catchment Details






Dam Characteristics



Wall Height: 34.6 m





Dam Type: Concrete

Material Content of a Dam Wall: Clay-core rockfill embankment

Crest Length: Spillway section : 222.36m Non-spillway section : N/A

Type of Spillway: Unontrolled ogee


Future Capacity Once Dam Wall has been Raised: N/A


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4.5 Wastewater Reuse

4.5.1 Background and Existing Infrastructure

The reuse or reclamation of wastewater not only improves the sustainability of water resources, but is strategically important as it improves the security of supply through the diversification of water resources. Wastewater is available throughout the year and the supply is consistent. Umgeni Water currently owns an 18% share in the Durban Wastewater Recycling (DWR) Plant. The DWR treats domestic sewage to near potable standards for industrial use. The plant has the capacity to treat approximately 40 Mℓ/day of wastewater.

4.5.2 Proposed Options

Umgeni Water has investigated the option of treating wastewater from the Darvill Wastewater Works (WWW) (Section 6.2) to potable standards. A Feasibility Study to assess the viability of returning the treated water back into the distribution system at Umlaas Road was undertaken (Section 5.2). The water could then be used to augment the supply to the Western Aqueduct which will serve the high growth areas along the western corridor of the eThekwini Municipality (Section 5.2). The advantage of this is that water would be made available higher up in the system and can therefore be supplied under gravity. The alternative is a reliance on pumping from the Durban Heights WTP to serve these demand centres (Section 5.2). Supplying the water from the Upper Mgeni System would shed load at Durban Heights WTP, thus freeing up the works to supply additional water. This scenario does, however, place stress on the infrastructure of the Upper Mgeni System and this infrastructure would have to be upgraded to cope with the additional demand (Section 7.4).

4.5.3 Project Progress

A number of studies have been undertaken to investigate wastewater reclamation at Darvill WWW. These include infrastructure and environmental pre-feasibility studies as well as treatment technology investigations. The infrastructure study involved the evaluation of two methods of utilising Darvill wastewater to augment the potable supply. The first, a Direct Reuse option, is designed to treat the Darvill effluent at a proposed wastewater reclamation plant adjacent to the existing works. The second, an Indirect Reuse option, is designed to abstract the Darvill effluent from a location downstream of the WWW on the Msunduzi River. Both options require the water to be pumped to the Umlaas Road node (Section 5.2) for distribution. The Indirect Reuse (river abstraction) option would require treatment of the abstracted river water and the WTP at the Umlaas Road node would need to be re-commissioned for this purpose. Due to the poor water quality of the Msunduzi River (Section 4.4.4) the WTP would have to be upgraded to cater for the inclusion of more advanced water treatment technology. Two possible treatment options have been identified for Umlaas Road (Figure 4.62). The first is an Ozone and Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) treatment train (Train 1) and the second is a membrane based treatment train (Train 2)

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Storage reservoirs, distribution pipelines and the associated infrastructure to pump the treated water to Umlaas Road WTP are required for both alternatives and preliminary designs and pipeline routes were completed in 2014. The outcome of the Detailed Feasibility Study, indicated that Treatment Train 1 was the preferred option.

Umlaas Road Treatment Train 1 (Proposed)

WWTP River DAFDual

Media filt.Potable

Dist. Sys.Clarif.

Buffer Blend

Cℓ O3 O3

GAC UF

Umlaas Road Treatment Train 2 (Proposed)

WWTP RiverDual

Media filt.Potable

Dist. Sys.Clarif.

Buffer Blend

Cℓ O3 O3

UF RO

Umlaas Road (Current) WWTP River Clarif.Media

FiltrationPotable

Dist. Sys.Buffer Blend

Cℓ

UV

Figure 4.62 Indirect Potable Reuse Treatment Train Options

Both the Direct and Indirect Reuse options would reduce the flow in the Msunduzi River by approximately 60 Mℓ/day and this could, potentially, have an environmental impact on the river and its users. A specialist environmental study was previously completed to assess the possible impacts of this reduction in flow on the river. The study revealed that reduction in flow would have a limited impact on the ecology of the river, since the flow would be returning to its natural or “virgin” state. The river habitat and ecosystem would therefore adapt to what it was formally used too. The discharge from Darvill WWW is a return flow and is therefore not part of the natural flow regime of the river. Social impacts were more difficult to quantify without the undertaking of a full Environmental Impact Assessment, but are expected to be limited and could be mitigated. A vital component in the Direct Reuse option is the design of the advanced water treatment technology process train for the reclamation plant. The treating of wastewater for potable reuse requires that appropriate technologies are used to ensure the public’s safety at all times. This is achieved by designing treatment systems that ensure no harmful substances or viruses will pass through the system. The most effective way of doing this is to design “multiple treatment barriers”. International experience at NEWater in Singapore and at Goreangab in Windhoek makes use of this philosophy. These plants also undertook extensive treatment trials using pilot plants to obtain the best treatment train design. Umgeni Water is following a similar strategy and, with the cooperation and sponsorship of the Water Research Commission (WRC), has completed a wastewater reclamation pilot plant investigation. The first stage in the investigation involved the installation of Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) pilot plants. The MBR’s provided excellent pre-treatment for further advanced treatment technologies such as Granular Activated Carbon (GAC), Reverse Osmosis and Ultra Violet Irradiation. Combinations of these advanced treatment technologies were tested to ascertain the most effective “multiple barrier” system. These tests were completed in November 2013 and culminated in a WRC report in April 2014. The study recommended two possible treatment trains (Figure 4.63), which

200

would meet the water quality objectives of producing safe drinking water. However, the cost of disposing of the brine emanating from the Nanofiltation (NF) or Reverse Osmosis (RO) unit treatment processes proved to be prohibitive. Train 2 would be the most suitable treatment train for reclamation plants located near the coast as the brine could then be disposed of economically to the sea.

WWTP MBR Ozone GAC NF UVDirect Potable

Train 1

WWTP MBR RO UVDirect Potable

Train 2

Figure 4.63 Direct Potable Reuse Treatment Train Options

Coupled with the pilot plant investigations is a rigorous water quality monitoring programme. Of concern when reclaiming wastewater to potable standards are the health and safety aspects, especially those relating to the presence of Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CEC) in the final water. CECs represent a range of contaminants that include pesticides, pharmaceuticals and personal care products. Much attention has been given to particular contaminants that fall under the banner of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) such as Estrone, 17β-Estradiol, 17α-Ethinylestradiol and Testosterone. These and other EDCs were sampled and analysed from the product water once it had passed through all the treatment technologies. Results show that these substances are sufficiently removed from the final water and pose no threat to human health at the quantities detected.

4.5.4 Recommendation Following the above studies, the indirect potable re-use option was shown to be the more feasible option economically and was recommended. Indirect re-use also avoids the stigma normally associated with direct potable res-use and will therefore be more likely to be accepted by the public. The high capital costs of the project (Approx. R1.6 billion) and the fact that no additional resource is created, means that decisions have been made to not implement this project.

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4.6 Seawater Desalination Umgeni Water completed a desalination pre-feasibility study in 2010. The objective of the study was to investigate the viability of constructing a large scale desalination plant in the eThekwini area as a possible alternative to the proposed uMkhomazi Water Project (Sections 4.4.4 and 5.2). The ultimate capacity of the plant was set at 450 Mℓ/day (164 million m3/annum), making it potentially one of the largest seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) to ever be built. The study identified the northern end of the Durban Airport as the optimal site to construct a SWRO desalination plant. The cost of constructing and operating the plant was estimated as well as the possible environmental implications. Few points exist within the water supply infrastructure of eThekwini Municipality that have the capacity to receive the water from a single point desalination plant producing 450 Mℓ/day of potable water. Early investigations have also shown that due to the limited space for the pipeline installation, it is highly likely that a phased implementation of the pipelines will be feasible because of these space constraints. It was proposed that about 150 of the 450 Mℓ/day would be injected into the Wiggins System (Section 5.2) at its water treatment plant (WTP) whilst the balance is injected into the Central Aqueducts. An economic comparison, at a pre-feasibility level of detail, between this desalination plant and the alternative uMkhomazi Water Project, indicated no discernible difference. It was therefore necessary to undertake more detailed investigations of both options so as to obtain a higher level of accuracy in their comparison. A revised strategy has now been adopted. A detailed feasibility investigation is considering the option of a 150Mℓ/day plant on both the North Coast and South Coast. The capacity of these plants is based on the capacity of existing and proposed bulk water supply infrastructure in these areas, which will be utilised to convey the potable water from the desalination plants to the various distribution points. Datasets on the various criteria that affect the positioning of a desalination plant have been sourced and two potential sites have now been identified through a site selection study undertaken by Umgeni Waters Planning Department (Umgeni Water 2011). These sites are located on either side (north and south) of the Mgeni Supply Area and would have the ability to sufficiently augment the Mgeni, South Coast and North Coast Systems in the medium-term with supply to areas in eThekwini Municipality, Ugu District Municipality and iLembe District Municipality. Detailed feasibility investigations were undertaken at both sites during 2014. Comprehensive geotechnical, oceanographic, bathymetric and environmental studies were completed. An extensive water quality sampling programme was conducted by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) over a period of one year. Sea water samples were taken at a variety of points both near shore and far shore as well as at different depths. Preliminary analyses and interpretation of the sea water results indicated that the nutrient rich east coast water’s contained high concentrations of algae. Some of these algae are very small and are known as “pico-plankton”. These “pico-plankton” are considered to be potentially hazardous to membrane based treatment processes and they may result in fouling. It has thus been proposed, as part of the detailed feasibility study, to conduct a pilot study using various pre-treatment technologies. Pilot investigations will allow proposed pre-treatment technologies to be tested to establish their ability to provide protection for the downstream RO

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membranes. It is essential that the RO membranes are protected as their replacement is very costly and any reduction in their performance due to fouling must be avoided as far as possible. A suitable site for the pilot plant has been identified at the Scottburgh Caravan Park and preliminary investigations are underway for the installation of the pilot plant towards the middle of 2015. It is envisaged the pilot plant will operate for a period of 12 months to take account of seasonal changes in sea water quality. Preliminary estimates from the detailed feasibility study show that the desalination plant could be constructed for approximately R3.4 billion and would have a total electrical consumption (at 150Mℓ/day) of approximately 25MW. An economic analysis will be undertaken towards the end of 2015 to determine the most feasible solution for augmenting the resources of the South Coast, namely; Desalination or the Lower uMkhomazi Bulk Water Supply Scheme. In a similar way the economic feasibility of the northern desalination plant will be compared to the other options for water supply on the North Coast, namely; the uMkhomazi Water Project or the Lower Mvoti Bulk Water Supply Scheme.

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4.7 Drought Interventions The year 2014 was marked by unseasonably low rainfall and correspondingly low runoff over much of Umgeni Water’s Operational Area. Dam levels progressed on a downward trend as a result of the decrease in inflows. Following on from the dry winter months the situation was compounded by the lack of rainfall and many areas faced water shortages. Weather forecasts showed strong predictions of the El Niño occurring towards the end of the year and this ultimately resulted in impacts associated with a drought cycle. These forecasts mainly covered the eastern part of the country including the UW’s operational area. The Umzinto and Maphumulo areas, in particular, required intervention to augment their water supplies as river abstraction points were placed under increasing strain. Umgeni water, in collaboration with its stakeholders, initiated drought intervention measures at both these areas and the scope of these interventions is described in the following section. In addition, drought interventions on the Hazelmere System are currently being implemented.

4.7.1 Umzinto

The catchment area of the Umzinto WTW is currently experiencing one of the worst prolonged dry periods recorded. The two dams supplying water to the Umzinto WTW reached critical levels in 2014, with no usable water left in the EJ Smith Dam. Voluntary water restrictions had some effect but the consumption remained high. The water demand was greater than what the dams were able to supply, without reaching dead storage level. The relatively small catchment area feeding the Umzinto WTW implies that this supply system frequently experiences water resource deficiencies, resulting in the regular implementation of drought operating rules to the dams. Fortunately this supply system also tends to recover more rapidly than the larger catchments. Hydrological characteristics of the adjacent catchments are presented in Table 4.45, compared with the Umzinto WTW catchment.

Table 4.45 Hydrological characteristics for the Middle South Coast Region

Water Supply System River Catchment Area (km

2)

Annual Average

Evaporation (mm)

Rainfall (m)

Natural Runoff (million 3/yr)

Natural Runoff (mm)

Mpambanyoni 555 1,200 895 58.9 110

Umzinto–EJ Smith Dam

Mzimayi 35 1,200 1,013 8.1 231

Umzinto–Umzinto Dam

uMuziwezinto 146 1,200 1,013 33.9 232

Mtwalume Mtwalume 552 1,200 887 53.4 97

The catchments adjacent to the Umzinto Supply System, are the Mpambanyoni River (north) and Mtwalume River (south). With reference to Table 4.45, these adjacent catchments are both approximately three times larger than the Umzinto catchment. UW operates the Mtwalume WTP which has a run of river abstraction abstracting 8Ml/d. The Mpambanyoni River, being similar in hydrology to the Mtwalume catchment, was considered as an augmentation option following a DWS request to investigate raw water transfer from adjacent

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catchments. Figure 4.54 illustrates the 8 Mℓ/day flow in the Mpambanyoni River downstream of the DWS weir U8H003, the proposed emergency abstraction point. The picture was taken on the 10th September 2014. It is highly probable that supply to Umzinto will continue to be affected this summer and during the 2015 winter. The risk will be reduced via a proposed emergency raw water augmentation. The supply to the coastal towns and surrounding rural communities, which rely on the Umzinto Supply System, is likely to be further stressed during the 2015 Winter unless normal or above normal rainfall is experienced.

Intervention Measures

Water Demand Management UDM has embarked on various activities to better control water losses within the reticulation system. The following work was attended to during 2014:

Pressure reducing valve (PRV) zones set to supply minimum pressure (Amandawe, Kelso, Pennington, Umzinto and Malangeni PRV zones).

Leak detection and associated repairs.

UDM EXCO urgent resolution to install flow restrictors on all connections within the Umzinto Supply System submitted 1st September 2014.

For various reasons, all of the above interventions have had limited success in being fully implemented. Nonetheless, UDM have actively intensified their efforts. Reduction of Water Use Following an emergency drought meeting in August 2014, between DWS, UW and UDM the following actions were tabled:

10 highest consumers identified and visited

UDM communications department implemented a drought awareness campaign

UDM agreed to a press release regarding water restrictions within the Umzinto WTW supply area.

Voluntary water restrictions and attending to reported water leaks had some effect, but the consumption remained high. The current demands exceeded that which the Umzinto Dam is able to supply. Alternative Potable Water Supply The following options to supply Umzinto through adjacent supply networks, thereby relieving the demand from the WTW, have been implemented:

Load shedding through the Umgeni Water South Coast Pipeline, Singh’s Link (EWS) and Willowglen Pump station (UDM)

Load shedding through the South Coast Pipeline, Scottburgh South Reservoir (UDM)

Load shedding via the Mtwalume WTW, Sezela Pump station to Pennington (UDM) Reinstatement of the pumps at Willowglen pump station is also currently being considered by UDM Emergency Raw Water Augmentation A temporary emergency abstraction scheme was implemented from the nearby Mpambanyoni River to augment inflows to EJ Smith Dam. This emergency scheme was implemented within three months with a one month construction period. The capital cost of the scheme was R17 million and included an abstraction, temporary pump station and 5km pipeline. This scheme was commissioned in December 2014 and operated for one month raising the level of EJ Smith Dam from 40% to 72%.

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Levels in the EJ Smith Dam will be monitored during 2015 and the emergency scheme will be re-commissioned if the inflows into EJ Smith Dam require augmentation.

4.7.2 Maphumulo

The Maphumulo area falls within the ILembe District Municipality (UDM). In 2013, Umgeni Water began implementing a scheme to supply the residents with potable water. The Maphumulo Bulk Water Supply Scheme (MBWSS) is phased as follows:

Phase 1 – Temporary Abstraction from iMvutshane River and Water Treatment Plant with a capacity of 6 Ml/day. This project was commissioned in August 2013;

Phase 2 – Construction of iMvutshane Dam. The dam is being constructed and is scheduled to be commissioned by early 2015;

Phase 3 – Abstraction from Hlimbitwe River, rising main to iMvutshane Dam abstraction works and upgrade of Water Treatment Works capacity to 12 Ml/day. This is planned to be commissioned by the end of 2017.

During 2014 the MBWSS run-off river abstraction was unable to meet the water demands of the supply area. Figure 4.64 shows a picture taken in September 2014 with low flows in the iMvutshane River downstream of the abstraction. The town of Maphumulo and surrounding rural areas experienced severe water shortages during this period as the iMvutshane River could not meet the demand of the WTP (2Mℓ/day as opposed to 4Mℓ/day).

Figure 4.64 Downstream Flow in iMvutshane River on 01 September 2014

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Intervention Measures

Water Demand Management ILembe District Municipality (IDM) embarked on projects to identify and fix water leaks within the reticulation system. These had limited success and the demand for water did not decrease below 4Mℓ/day. Reduction of Water Use A meeting was held with IDM officials in September 2014 to discuss the current bulk water supply crisis in the MBWSS and it was requested that restrictions be implemented in the region. These also had limited success with the demand at least twice the yield within the river. Emergency Augmentation of MBWSS A new abstraction from the nearby Hlimbithwe River, to augment the current reduced abstraction from the iMvutshane River, was Proposed. The project was constructed in October 2014 and included:

Sand bags on the Hlimbithwe River to create a pool;

Two sets of pumps with a capacity to deliver up to 6 Ml/day;

250 mm diameter pipeline to the current abstraction point on the iMvutshane River;

Electrical supply to the pumps. This emergency scheme was able to supply the full demand for raw water at the abstraction. The emergency scheme is no longer operational as flows in the iMvutshane River have now increased over the summer period. However, the scheme can and will be re-commissioned if the flows in the river decrease to less than the demand. The iMvutshane Dam is now complete and will be commissioned within the first half of 2015 although it is expected that it will still take a full season before sufficient water is impounded in the dam to completely remove the need for the Hlimbitwa Emergency Scheme.

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WRC. 2010. Development of a Practical Methodology for Assessing the Potential Impacts of Climate Change on the Yield Characteristics of Reservoirs. Draft Report for Water Research Commsion Project K8/870/1. Authors: Gerber, A, De Jager, FGB and Strydom, C. WRP. 2007. Mooi-Mgeni River Transfer Scheme Phase 2: Feasibility Study: Bridging Study No. 5: Stochastic Hydrology and Determination of Yield and Transfer Capacity of the Mooi-Mgeni Transfer Scheme (MMTS) and Operating Rules of the Mooi and Mgeni Systems with the MMTS in Place. Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, Directorate: Options Analysis. Report No. WMA 07/V20/00/1807. Authors: Schäfer, NW, De Jager, FGB and Van Rooyen, PG.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Umgeni Water’s comprehensive 2014 Infrastructure Master Plan has been updated and improved to produce this 2015 version. The concerted effort of the Planning Services Department as a whole in producing this document is acknowledged and appreciated. Specific contributions by the various team members deserves acknowledgement: Graham Metcalf (Geohydrologist) for managing the entire project, updating the groundwater sections and preparing the sections on wastewater, reclamation and desalination and Alka Ramnath’s (Planner) contribution in assisting with the management of the project process, writing Section 2 of this report, preparing a number of the maps and assisting with editing the two volumes, was substantial. Without such valuable input the project would not have been possible. Planning Engineers Gavin Subramanian (North), Angus Nicoll (South and Central), Vernon Perumal (Harry Gwala) and Reshina Maharaj (Inland) updated the various components relating to the water supply infrastructure plans and projects. Sandile Sithole (Hydrologist) and Sakhile Hlalukane (Hydrologist), updated the various sections relating to the water resource regions in Volume I. Mark Summerton (Planning Analyst) revised the section on climate change. David Stephen (Planning Engineer) once again took on the onerous task of proofreading the report, and Tatum Donnelly (Administrator) kept the department functioning smoothly throughout the project. The 2015 Infrastructure Master Plan was not completed by the abovementioned people without the valued assistance of numerous other staff members within Umgeni Water. Their contributions are gratefully acknowledged. Operations Division staff provided assistance in updating and confirming infrastructure information. The Water and Environment Department kindly provided updated information on water quality within the various water resource regions in Section 4, and Process Services supplied the process and treatment details for each of the water treatment plants in Section 5. Finally, last but not least to the GIS Department; Brent Steyn (GIS Coordinator), Dani Vather and Sindi Ngubane for updating and re-formatting all of the IMP maps. Kevin Meier, PLANNING SERVICES MANAGER