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IOL News
2 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Umhlanga ratepayers and eThekwini Municipality tackle pressing community challenges
eThekwini Municipality Mayor Cyril Xaba and Terri Maclarty, the chairperson of Umhlanga Ratepayers and Residents Association during a meeting at the Durban City Hall on Friday. Image: eThekwini Municipality The Umhlanga ratepayers and the eThekwini Municipality met on Friday to discuss a wide range of issues, including homelessness and sewerage network challenges. eThekwini Municipality Mayor, Councillor Cyril Xaba, said that he had met with members of the Umhlanga Ratepayers and Residents Association (URRA) to discuss service delivery and issues affecting the area. Xaba mentioned that the two-hour engagement addressed various issues, including the Durban metro police's capacity to service the fast-growing precinct, ongoing water leaks, sewerage network challenges, stormwater drainage improvements, and homelessness. He was accompanied by municipal officials from various service delivery units, who outlined a clear plan to address the challenges raised. 'The meeting forms part of the municipality's ongoing commitment to work closely with communities to find sustainable solutions to service delivery challenges.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Bradley Singh, eThekwini Ward 35 councillor, who was also present at the meeting, stated that it was a positive sign that Xaba is prepared to listen to the community members and stakeholders who raised concerns. 'There will be progress and future meetings to ensure better service delivery and to hold municipal officials accountable,' Singh said. Recently, the municipality announced the R60 million refurbishment of the Umhlanga Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW). The works were damaged during the April 2022 floods. Other issues that were resolved recently were the proposed construction of a mini-bus taxi rank in the suburb.
IOL News
21-05-2025
- General
- IOL News
Residents hopeful as Umhlanga Wastewater Treatment Works refurbishment begins
The Umhlanga Ratepayers and Residents Association (URRA) hoped that the R60 million refurbishment of the Umhlanga Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW) would be done efficiently and competently. Image: Supplied The Umhlanga Ratepayers and Residents Association (URRA) hoped that the R60 million refurbishment of the Umhlanga Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW) would be done efficiently and competently. Work began last week to refurbish the April 2022 storm-damaged WWTW. eThekwini Municipality spokesperson, Gugu Sisilana, said the scope of work entails a rehabilitation and functional upgrade of critical infrastructure within the treatment works, including mechanical, electrical, civil, and structural elements. She said key interventions include refurbishing the inlet works, aeration basins, clarifiers, sludge handling pumping systems, electrical works, instrumentation, and the chlorination system. 'The improvements will assist to restore operational efficiency at the works for the treatment of sewage. The works will be able to receive an apportionment of wastewater from the Umhlanga catchment for treatment,' Sisilana said. eThekwini Ward 35 Councillor Bradley Singh confirmed that the multimillion-rand upgrade to the WWTW is finally under way, despite a four-month delay in starting the project. Singh explained that the April 2022 floods severely damaged one of the facility's main purifiers, forcing its complete shutdown. He added that since 2022, the WWTW plant has been operating on a single treatment unit, which also failed two weeks ago. 'The department temporarily restored operations using generators, but the system is under immense strain. The upgrade will not only restore full capacity but also expand the plant's ability to handle increasing waste volumes as Durban's northern areas continue to develop,' Singh explained. The Shellborne pump station directs wastewater from La Lucia, Homeford, Shellborne, Armstrong Avenue, and Whalebone Pier to the Umhlanga plant. Singh explained that with one purifier out of service, excess sewage had to be diverted to the Phoenix plant. He said this temporary solution failed to address long-term risks. 'Residents have borne the brunt of the crisis, with frequent sewage spills leading to repeated closures of Umhlanga's beaches. The foul odour and health hazards have sparked widespread complaints, underscoring the urgent need for a permanent solution,' Singh said. Terry MacLarty, chairperson of the URRA, said they were delighted that eThekwini is finally undertaking this repair, which was long overdue. MacLarty said the URRA has been campaigning to get the work done to prevent the overflowing sewage lines and the E. coli contamination of the ocean for years. 'This repair is critical to restore our attraction to visitors, which has taken a huge knock as a result of beach closures, resulting from the failure of infrastructure. Umhlanga is a major contributor to the rates of eThekwini, and the restoration of our tourism will make a huge difference to the economy of our area. We are hopeful that this repair work will be done efficiently and competently and will be completed as soon as possible,' MacLarty said. [email protected] The Umhlanga coastline, north of Durban. Image: Supplied / eThekwini Municipality
