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Monday, 17 April 2023

Eskom electricity load shedding is affecting supply of drinking water to municipalities within uMngeni-uThukela Water’s service area. As a consequence, thousands of consumers within the uMgungundlovu District Municipality, Msunduzi Local Municipality, iLembe District Municipality, Ugu District Municipality, Harry Gwala District Municipality, King Cetshwayo District Municipality and the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality receive an erratic supply of drinking water or, at times, no water from their taps for the duration of load shedding and often longer as water supply infrastructure recover from the effects of power outages.

Stage 6 load shedding was implemented from January 2023, initially intermittently, and subsequently it became more frequent. From Wednesday, 12 April 2023, to the present, Stage 6 has continued, resulting in power supply interruptions twice a day for at least four hours on each occasion at some of uMngeni-uThukela Water’s plants where raw is treated to drinking water quality.

In the Mgeni System, the largest system in KwaZulu-Natal, the areas worst affected by water supply failures through power supply interruptions are Vulindlela, Mpophomeni and Hilton, all of which are high-lying and dependent on the Howick West Reservoir for potable water to be transferred through a system of pumping. Other areas that do not receive water during load shedding are KwaHaza, KwaChief and Mashingini. In Impendle, all areas are affected while in the Mpofana system, Bruntville is often starved of water supply when power supply disruptions occur.

The Midmar Pump Station and the Midmar Water Treatment Works are excluded from load shedding; hence conveyance of raw water and its treatment are not affected. When power outages occur, downstream Millfalls Reservoir is able to receive water from the Midmar Water Treatment Works and it, in turn, is able to transfer the water to the Howick West Reservoir.

The water remains in the Howick West Reservoir until power supply is restored. Consequently, the reservoirs of uMgungundlovu District Municipality and Msunduzi Local Municipality in Vulindlela are unable to supply water to consumers in the vast area of Vulindlela. Water is pumped from the Groenkloof Reservoir in Hilton to Vulindlela. Hilton is affected when power supply outages occur.

The reservoir in Richmond is also reliant on the Midmar Water Treatment Works supply zone. It is affected because water has to be pumped there as well. Areas within Richmond that are affected by no water supply are Ndaleni, Nhlazuka and Mbutshisweni. In the Mkhambathini area, Ukhalo is known to be unable to receive water.

When power supply is restored, it takes at least an hour for the supply mechanisms, both in the bulk and reticulation networks, to return to full functionality. In the meantime, what little storage remains in reservoirs begin emptying out and there is no accompanying replenishment. This leads to intermittent or no water supply to consumers.

From the Midmar Water Treatment Works water is gravity fed to the eThekwini Metro via Point M in Umlaas Road. The eThekwini Metro is, therefore, able to receive full supply during load shedding for distribution to various areas, including Mid-Illovo, Eston, Umbumbulu and Hillcrest.

The DV Harris Water Treatment Works, situated in the outskirts of Pietermaritzburg and part of the Mgeni System, continues to take the brunt of load shedding. In an unrelated occurrence, on Thursday, 13 April 2023, a mechanical problem occurred in a valve situated on the bulk potable water pipeline that carries drinking water from this plant, which required staff of uMngeni-uThukela Water to temporarily shut down the pipeline in order for repair work to be conducted.

In this period, uMngeni-uThukela Water was unable to supply drinking water from this plant. The problem was resolved by the following day and supply restored, however, water supply interruptions caused by load shedding persist.

The DV Harris Water Treatment Works has a stand-by generator, but its operation for at least eight hours each day has created a situation of heavy diesel consumption. The 3 000-litre diesel storage tank on site depletes rapidly, and sourcing and refilling of it takes a few days. This means that during load shedding and when the stand-by generator is not working, water cannot leave the plant.

The DV Harris Water Treatment Works currently supplies 58Ml/d (58 million litres) of water through the Msunduzi Belfort Pipeline. This pipeline feeds both the Claridge Reservoir (for the uMshwati area) and Belfort Reservoir (for parts of Pietermaritzburg, Table Mountain and uMshwathi). The split in supply is 20Ml/d to Claridge Reservoir and 38 Ml/d to Belfort Reservoir. The uMshwathi system is fed using the Mpolweni pump station to supply two uMngeni-uThukela Water reservoirs, Wartburg (8 million litres) and another (1.5 million litres), and uMgungundlovu District Municipality’s 1.5 million litre reservoir. Dalton and Cool Air are supplied from the Wartburg Reservoir through smaller reservoirs. A system of electricity-driven pumping is used to transfer water to these areas.

uMngeni-uThukela Water is concerned about the impact of load shedding on its ability to fulfil its mandate to provide an interrupted supply of drinking water. Eskom and municipalities have been approached to consider providing dedicated power lines to each pump station. If this materialises, then the pump stations will not be affected when there is load shedding.

At the Maphephetheni Water Treatment Works in Inanda, a stand-by diesel-powered generator is used at times of power supply interruptions, thereby ensuring continuous supply of potable water. However, there has been a significant increase in diesel use and cost.

In the Durban Central Region, the Durban Heights Water Treatment Works has two incomers, one of which has been excluded from load shedding. The exemption includes all production units, shaft pumping and the KwaDabeka Pump Station. The section that has not been excluded affects feed to the Pinetown Pump Station, which means no pumping can occur.

The pump station at Inanda Dam has two sources of energy, namely a stand-by pump and Hillcrest and Mzinyathi that supply the eThekwini Metro electricity department. Inanda Dam is one of two sources of raw water supply to the Durban Heights Water Treatment Works, situated in Reservoir Hills, Durban. The other is Nagle Dam in Cato Ridge, from where water gravitates into channels and then into four aqueducts. This means that the Durban Heights Water Treatment Works has an assured supply of raw water from Inanda and Nagle dams and available power at all times to ensure the plant continues to produce potable water.

The Inanda Pump Station has been exempt from load shedding.

The Durban Heights Water Treatment Works supplies reservoirs in the north, south, central and inner west regions of Durban.

The interconnected Wiggins Water Treatment Works in Bonella, Durban, has been exempt from load shedding. This system supplies potable water to central Durban. It also augments the Amanzimtoti Water Treatment Works through a system of gravity feed and pumping. At times of load shedding, transfer of water from the Wiggins Water Treatment Works to the Amanzimtoti Water Treatment Works is interrupted, exacerbating the deficit that already exists at the Amanzimtoti Water Treatment Works.

Parts of the Middle South Coast served by uMngeni-uThukela Water, from Amanzimtoti in eThekwini to Umzinto in Ugu, remain constrained. Load shedding results in downtime of the South Coast augmentation booster pump station, which is situated between Wiggins and Amanzimtoti and is used to pump water to the Amanzimtoti Water Treatment Works. Supply to eThekwini Metro is from the Wiggins Water Treatment Works through a series of reservoirs and the South Coast augmentation booster pump station and is supported by the Amanzimtoti Water Treatment Works.

Reduced volumes of potable water caused by power outages at the booster pump station vary between 20% and 30% – or on average a deficit of between 30 Ml/d and 40Ml/d – depending on the stage of load shedding. Higher stages of power outages cause high levels of water shortages. This results in reduced supply to eThekwini Metro for reticulation to Amanzimtoti and similar reduction in supply to Ugu District Municipality.

The Umzinto Water Treatment Works loses approximately 30% in potable water production during load shedding periods. This is caused by reduced abstraction volumes of raw water from the Umzinto and EJ Smith dams because pumps are unable to work. When load shedding occurs, generators are used in what becomes a slow and long process that often produces yields less than required volumes. A similar situation prevails at the Mtwalume Water Treatment Works, which also experiences reduced volumes of potable water produced due to reduced volumes of raw water.

Mid-South Coast systems’ full recovery time post-load shedding is, on average, two hours.

The Mhlabatshane Water Treatment Works has a back-up generator, which allows it to operate when power is switched off by Eskom or if there is power failure due to problems in the network.

The cumulative effect is reduced sales revenue while costs are rising sharply through increased use of diesel.

The Lower uMkhomazi Bulk Water Supply Scheme, currently under construction in Cragieburn, Umkomaas, and 20km north west off Scottburgh, will in the near future alleviate water supply constraints in Amanzimtoti to Hibberdene through provision of 100Ml/d on a sustainable basis.

The Hazelmere Water Treatment Works in the north of Durban receives its water from the Hazelmere Dam through gravity feed. The water is treated at the plant and supplied to eThekwini Metro, iLembe District Municipality and Siza Water. This plant has been exempt from load shedding, therefore, it is able to supply all of the areas that receive water from it. There are five bulk distribution systems within the Hazelmere supply area: Ndwedwe; Verulam/Grange; La Mercy; Avondale and Waterloo. The only system that is affected adversely is Ndwedwe because generators used during power outages are only able to support 50% of capacity.

At Maphumulo, there are no generators at raw water abstraction points, therefore, the plant is unable to produce drinking water during periods of load shedding. The Lower Thukela Bulk Water Supply Scheme in Mandini is exempt from load shedding.

The water treatment plants in the King Cetshwayo District that are operated and managed by uMngeni-uThukela Water are affected during power supply outages because they do not have stand-by generators. This means the potable water that is produced cannot leave the plants and the Water Services Authority does not have adequate water to distribute to consumers in Eshowe and surrounding areas. The Ixopo Water Treatment Works, within Harry Gwala District Municipality, remains fully functional because it uses a diesel-powered generator at times of load shedding.

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

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Thursday, 23 March 2023

The Fleetwood Substation was shutdown today (Thursday, 23 March 2023) for Eskom to conduct essential maintenance work. Eight hours have been allocated for the work, which means it is scheduled to be completed by 16h00.

The shutdown has affected potable water production at the Midmar Water Treatment Plant. As consequence, water supply to Point M has been affected. Point M supplies Umbumbulu and eThekwini Metro’s Western Aqueduct which, in turn, supplies the Outer West area. Supply to Camperdown, Eston and Mid-Illovo, all within in uMgungundlovu, large parts of Msunduzi, Vulindlela, Mpophomeni, Howick West, Howick and Hilton has also been affected.

At the weekend there were some challenges in reticulation systems, which resulted in storage reservoirs dropping sharply. However, Eskom was unable to reschedule the shutdown of the Fleetwood Substation due to the critical and urgent nature of the work. Delay in executing the required work could have resulted in catastrophic failure, which generally takes six days to seven days to recover.

uMngeni-uThukela Water apologises for the inconvenience that has been caused by interruption in water supply to the affected areas and provides an assurance that Eskom will do everything possible to complete the work within the allocated timeframe.

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

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The underlying message: innovation and speed are needed to bring change so that water is available to more and preserved for future generations

Researched, compiled and written by the Corporate Stakeholder Management Unit, Office of the Chief Executive, uMngeni-uThukela Water

National Water Week has begun. Its observance, from 20-26 March 2023, coincides with two major global events – World Water Day on 22 March 2023 and the United Nations-convened Water Conference from 22-24 March in New York.

As National Water Week events are organised and held, parallel to them the relentless struggle for access to water continues among communities who do not have it and for those who have it, or at least some of it, their quest for improved water services provision is far from over. These needs are different, yet they are founded on two common challenges: inadequate infrastructure and deficiencies in management of water resources arriving at the final point of distribution to consumers.

World Water Day 2023 theme, Seeds of Change: Innovative Solutions for a Water-Wise World, acknowledges the multitude and enormity of water delivery shortcomings the world and South Africa have to resolve or manage. In a somewhat different approach from previous years’ events, it calls for innovation in problem solving so that the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 6 – universal access to safe and affordable drinking water by 2030 – is met and there is water adequacy to address the needs of those whose supply is intermittent and insufficient for basic daily domestic consumption of 50 litres to 100 litres per person per day, as stipulated by the World Health Organisation.

The overarching objective of the Water Conference is to value and manage water, sanitation and hygiene better and take effective action to achieve internationally agreed water, sanitation and health-related goals and targets, including those contained in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Speakers will include representatives of the governments of India, Ethiopia and France. The World Bank, WaterAid and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine will also participate. Commitments made at the conference will form the contents of the Water Action Agenda, which will drive transformation in the remainder of the decade.

South Africa’s delegates to the conference is led by the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Mr Senzo Mchunu.

The theme of National Water Week, Accelerating Change, dovetails neatly with underlying messages of World Water Day and the Water Conference. It is, however, emphatic that change has to be driven with vigour and speed. Change in this instance is a reference to reducing water backlogs, increasing access to proper sanitation and ensuring that there is adequate water available for consumers who receive it from municipal reticulation systems.

Importantly, it also promotes rapid change in consumer behaviour, to the point where consumers become water wise in how they treat and manage water.
In South Africa there is a peculiar and conflicting situation: on average, each person uses 237 litres of water per day. This is 64 litres more than the international average of 173 litres per person per day. This anomaly prevails although South Africa is a water scarce country and millions of people still do not have access to it.

The high consumption is partly attributed to high municipal non-revenue water. It is anomalies in their many manifestations and the need for behavioural change that National Water Week campaigns by uMngeni-uThukela Water and interested and affected groups will address and seek commitments that water will be respected and preserved for what it is, an essential and precious resource that is not infinite.

Public education initiatives will form the thrust of National Water Week campaigns. They will entail sharing information with the public about their responsibility in water conservation and the efficient use of water so that there is heightened awareness about its importance in our daily lives.

In this report reference is made to access to water infrastructure that makes provision of tap water possible. So, what is access to water infrastructure in South Africa?
It is defined as the provision of tapped water. This could be through a communal stand pipe located within 200 metres from a place of residence, water in the yard or water inside a residence. The concept entails physical availability of the infrastructure without consideration of the quality or the reliability of the service.

If this is not met, it is considered backlog.

Now, let’s take a look at the prevailing situation:

• An estimated 40% of the world population of 7, 94 billion people do not have easy access to clean water. This is despite access being critical to human health, a healthy environment, poverty reduction, a sustainable economy and to peace and security;
• In South Africa, an estimated 25% of the population of 60 million people still do not have easy access to safe drinking, although progress has been made since 1994 in reducing this backlog, and
• In KwaZulu-Natal, an estimated 26% of the Province’s population of 12 million people still do not receive treated water from municipal reticulation systems. In some instances, they walk long distances to rivers and streams to fetch water that has to be boiled before drinking it. This is despite access to water being a constitutional right in South Africa

Let’s discuss briefly the status of water resources in uMngeni-uThukela Water’s supply area where seven municipalities receive water and that is treated and supplied by uMngeni-uThukela Water. These municipalities are:

1. eThekwini Metro
2.  Msunduzi Local Municipality
3. uMgungundlovu District Municipality
4. iLembe District Municipality
5.  Harry Gwala Harry District Municipality
6. Ugu District Municipality, and
7. King Cetshwayo District Municipality

The largest system in uMngeni-uThukela Water’s service area is the Mgeni, which supplies drinking water to eThekwini, uMgungundlovu and Msunduzi. There are six dams in it and all are currently overflowing. The amount of water in this system collectively is at 101%.

This is good news as we head towards the dry season of winter months. What this means is that we should have no concerns about water shortages occurring in the short-term. This is because of the good rains that were received in spring and summer of 2022-2023 and effective management of bulk water resources.

In the Middle South Coast, water availability to supply Umzinto, Scottburgh and inland is also in a healthy state. This also because of good rains that were received in the third quarter of 2022 and in early 2023.
The Hazelmere Dam, outside Verulam, also has adequate water resources to meet demands in the north of Durban and parts of iLembe.

It must be remembered that the present situation could potentially change negatively if the effects of climate change and unrestrained use of water continue unabated.
Floods and droughts are the consequence of climate change: while drought causes water scarcity, floods can severely damage water infrastructure which results in failure to supply potable water or failure to supply full contracted volumes of potable water, as had occurred in Durban immediately after the April 2022 floods.

Municipalities’ increasing demand for water, consumers’ excessive use of it and lack of efficiency in use of water all impact negatively on water availability. uMngeni-uThukela Water’s plants are designed to produce a certain amount of drinking water per day and some of them are already operating above this design capacity.

uMngeni-uThukela Water is unable to supply an unlimited amount of water. There are contracts (Bulk Supply Agreements) with the seven municipalities that stipulate how much water each municipality will receive from uMngeni-uThukela Water. That means the water received must be managed effectively and efficiently so that everybody receives some of it.

One of the most significant challenges facing the water industry is how to reduce the extent of municipal non-revenue water (leaks and illegal connections). If success is achieved, municipalities’ water demands will reduce and there will be more water available. It is estimated that water losses in reticulation systems range from 30% to 70%. This means that the water available for distribution to consumers is total purchased less volumes lost.

This is why it is imperative for consumers to also play a role, and their role is will be a vital contribution to assisting municipalities decrease demand. The role consumers can play is in water conservation and in practicing water efficiency. Water conservation and water efficiency are not the same.

Water efficiency is the practice of ensuring that the amount of water required for a particular purpose is measured and is proportionate to the amount of water used for essential purpose. It also focuses on reducing excessive use of water, and not restricting it. Efficiency is also about choosing more efficient water-use products and apparatus.

Here are some tips on water conservation. If implemented, it will save water and reduce your water bill.

1. Check your toilet for leaks
2. Put a brick in your toilet tank. It reduces the amount of water the tank will hold
3. Take shorter showers
4. Install water-saving shower heads or flow restrictors
5. Turn off the water while brushing your teeth
6. Turn off the water while shaving
7. Keep a bottle of drinking water in the refrigerator (this puts an end to the wasteful practice of running tap water to cool it for drinking), and
8. Use washing machine or dish washer when there is a full load

uMngeni-uThukela Water has a structured programme to contribute to securing future water supply and reducing water backlogs. This programme entails construction of infrastructure – dams, waterworks, pipelines and reservoirs – that will assist municipalities meet future demand and extend water supply to un-served communities.

In the five-year window 2024-2029, approximately R18 billion is targeted to be spent. Of this amount, 47% is earmarked to be spent on augmentation projects (projects that will improve assurance of water supply and increase water availability); 33% on rural projects and 20% on maintenance, rehabilitation and upgrade of infrastructure.

The allocation in this capital expenditure programme reflects uMngeni-uThukela Water’s commitment to supporting socio-economic development in its vast service area and beyond.

The required expenditure will be funded through uMngeni-uThukela Water’s balance sheet, grant funding from the Department of Water and Sanitation or raised on open financial markets. Part of the surplus uMngeni-uThukela Water posted consistently over past years, including 2021/2022, will be partially used to fund projects.

Ever increasing demand for domestic consumption and use and the turmoil and uncertainties created by climate change only exacerbate concerns that the future of water supply is not secure. At the same time, there is population growth and changes in lifestyles. Activities arising from lifestyle changes require more water. A consequence of a situation of this nature is competition for water among agriculture, industry and domestic users. Yet water is not an unlimited resource. Let’s protect it, now and for future generations.

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Sunday, 19 March 2023

On Friday, 17 March 2023, the Lower Thukela Bulk Potable Water Pipeline had to be shut down to enable staff of uMngeni-uThukela Water to repair four leaks on it. This pipeline receives potable water (drinking water) from the Lower Thukela Bulk Water Supply Scheme in Mandini, iLembe, for supply to the iLembe District Municipality. At least 18 areas in KwaDukuza were affected by no water supply during the period of the shutdown.

By the morning of Saturday, 18 March 2023, three of the four leaks were repaired. The fourth leak is close to a river crossing and excavation in order to reach it for repairs required a significant amount of time that would have exceeded the 18 hours allocated (15 hours were originally allocated and because of the complexity of work involved, this was extended by three hours through consultation with the iLembe District Municipality).

A decision was taken on the night of 17 March 2023 to defer to a later date repairs to the fourth leak. The iLembe District Municipality and consumers will be informed of the new date once it becomes available.

Potable water supply to the iLembe District Municipality from the Lower Thukela Bulk Water Supply Scheme has since been restored. This means that the iLembe District Municipality is able to supply various parts of KwaDukuza that receive water from the Lower Thukela Bulk Water Supply Scheme.

uMngeni-uThukela Water wishes to thank the iLembe District Municipality for its co-operation and undertaking. The work was essential as the leaks would have affected adequacy of potable water and an uninterrupted supply of it. uMngeni-uThukela Water also wishes to thank consumers for their patience and apologies for the inconvenience caused during the shutdown.

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

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Thursday, 16 March 2023

An emergency shutdown of the Lower Thukela bulk potable water pipeline will begin at 06h00 on Friday, 17 March 2023, to repair four leaks that have been detected on this pipeline. Work is scheduled to be completed by 21h00 on Friday, 17 March 2023. After repairs are completed, the pipeline will be recommissioned, enabling it to receive and convey water again.
The pipeline conveys drinking water from the Lower Thukela Bulk Water Supply Scheme in Mandini to supply iLembe District Municipality for reticulation within a vast area in iLembe.
The following areas will be affected by no water supply during the 15-hour shutdown:

Zinkwazi
San Sounci
Darnall
Lindelani
Nonoti
Blythedale
Saunders Reservoir
Glenhills
Warrenton
Stanger Manor
High Ridge
Shakaville
Townview
Honolulu Reservoir
Groutville
Melville
Mbozamo
Ntshawini

A problem that occurred on Tuesday, 14 March 2023, with the pumps that abstract raw water from the Thukela River for transfer to the water treatment has been repaired. The pumps were tripping, preventing continuous supply of raw water. After the pumps were repaired, the storage reservoirs were still not filling adequately. On investigation, the four leaks were detected and are to be repaired as a matter of urgency, beginning 06h00 on Friday, 17 March 2023. Three teams will be working simultaneously to ensure that the work is completed in the shortest possible period.
uMngeni-uThukela Water wishes to thank the iLembe District Municipality for its co-operation and understanding. uMngeni-uThukela Water also wishes to apologise to consumers for any inconvenience that may be caused during the shutdown. An assurance is given that every effort will be made to try to complete the work before the allocated 15 hours.

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

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Thursday, 16 March 2023

uMngeni-uThukela Water operates and manages the Lower Thukela Bulk Water Supply Scheme in Mandini, iLembe District. Raw water is pumped from the Thukela River and supplied to the water treatment plant, which is part of this scheme. The water treated at this plant is supplied as drinking/potable water to the iLembe District Municipality for distribution to various areas within KwaDukuza.

Since Tuesday, 14 March 2023, the pumps that abstract raw water from the Thukela River have tripped on numerous occasions, causing breaks in supply to the water treatment plant. The downtime lasted, on average, two-three hours, before the pumps were restarted. These interruptions in raw water supply have affected potable water production, resulting in storage reservoirs reaching low levels and reduced or no supply to the iLembe District Municipality. It takes, on average, three-four hours for reservoirs to again reach levels that will make it possible to resume supply to the iLembe District Municipality.

This problem persists and uMngeni-uThukela Water staff are trying to diagnose the cause of it. Once diagnoses is made, work to rectify the problem will begin without delay. uMngeni-uThukela Water is unfortunately unable at this stage to provide timeframes for completion of the work. The iLembe District Municipality and consumers will be provided updates as work progresses.

Due to inadequate bulk potable water supply to the iLembe District Municipality, the following areas are affected by intermittent or no water supply:

Sakhamkhanya                                             San Souci

Shekembula                                                  Ohlange

Mdlebeni                                                       Lindelani

Shakaville                                                     Zamani

Darnall                                                           Zinkwazi

Blythedale                                                    Stanger Manor

Warrenton                                                    Doesburg

KwaDukuza Central Business District         Glenhills

Nyoniyamanzi                                               Lot 16

Gledhow North                                             Ntshawini

Groutville                                                       Mission

Thembeni                                                       Dube Village

Malende                                                         Hangoes

Zilungisele

uMngeni-uThukela Water apologises for the inconvenience caused and provides and assurance that everything possible is being done to rectify the problem in the shortest possible period.

 

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

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