The uMhlanga Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW) is currently undergoing a multi-million rand refurbishment project, a critical endeavour aimed at addressing numerous long-standing environmental and public health concerns in the area. The R60 million project is expected to alleviate the offensive odours and other issues, including the repeated closure of uMhlanga’s popular beaches due to sewage spills.
Despite a four-month delay in getting the project underway, Ward 35 Councillor Bradley Singh confirmed the commencement of the works. He highlighted the severe impact of the 2022 floods on the facility, stating: “This plant has been limping along using only one treatment unit, which also failed about two weeks ago. We’ve managed to temporarily bring it back online using generators, but the entire system is under strain.” Singh further indicated that the site is being upgraded not only to restore full capacity but also to accommodate the increasing waste volumes from Durban’s Northern areas.
However, eThekwini Municipality spokesperson Gugu Sisilana clarified that the project is not an “upgrade” in the conventional sense, but rather a “refurbishment” specifically to repair damages caused by the 2022 floods. Sisilana explained: “The scope of work entails a rehabilitation and functional upgrade of critical infrastructure within the uMhlanga wastewater treatment works, including mechanical, electrical, civil, and structural elements. Key interventions include refurbishing the inlet works, aeration basins, clarifiers, sludge handling pumping systems, electrical works, instrumentation, and the chlorination system.”
Sisilana further detailed the expected positive outcomes of the project: “This project will have a positive impact on surrounding communities by ensuring that all sewage is properly treated, reducing environmental pollution, and enabling future developments through improved access to wastewater treatment infrastructure.” She added that the improvements would help restore operational efficiency at the works for sewage treatment, enabling the facility to effectively receive and treat wastewater from the uMhlanga catchment area and ensure environmental compliance.
Theresa MacLarty, chairperson of the uMhlanga Ratepayers and Residents Association (URRA), expressed gratitude for the project’s eventual commencement but voiced dissatisfaction with the significant delay. “URRA are naturally pleased that this is being addressed eventually. It remains to be seen if this project is efficiently managed and completed in the shortest possible time within the budgeted amount,” said MacLarty. She also highlighted the detrimental impact of the flood-related damages on the area, noting that “tourism and property values have been declining in this area for years.”
