DURBAN – Umgeni Water says it has increased potable water production at the Hazelmere Water-Treatment Plant.
In a statement on Saturday, Umgeni Water said there has been a significant improvement in Hazelmere Dam’s water quality.
“At midday today (Saturday, April 16, 2022), potable water production reached 30 megalitres, in a strategy of steadily increasing output as raw water quality improved and treatment processes performed effectively.
“The plant produces on average 70 megalitres (million) per day. At this stage, 40 megalitres are arriving for treatment, and 30 megalitres are being supplied as potable water due to backwashing. The objective is to steadily increase production,” the state-owned entity said.
It said due to increasing production, it has been able to transfer potable water to storage reservoirs within the service area of the Hazelmere Water-Treatment Plant on a rotational basis.
“These reservoirs are filling at a steady pace. As production increases overnight, as anticipated, the levels of these reservoirs will further improve. However, numerous variables will determine whether production will increase or not; they include improving raw water quality.”
These reservoirs supply water to eThekwini Municipality, iLembe District Municipality and Siza Water for distribution to consumers in Verulam, La Mercy, Sea Tides, Ndwedwe, Waterloo, Groutville and Ballito.
Umgeni Water said the improvement in output was made possible through steadily improving raw water quality over the past 36 hours.
“The water currently being supplied from the Hazelmere Water-Treatment Plant is compliant with SANS (South African National Standards) 241:2015 for drinking water quality. Umgeni Water is monitoring water quality twice a day, including at reservoirs,” it said.