Water treatment plant on track
A MULTI-billion rand investor in northern KZN is satisfied with the progress being made by Mhlathuze Water (MW) on the augmentation of its Nsezi Water Treatment Plant.
Nyanza Light Metals, a chemicals manufacturer and major contributor towards the construction of a titanium production plant within the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBDIZ), toured the Nsezi plant to inspect its suitability to meet projected water and effluent discharge demands.
The water treatment plant is undergoing a major overhaul which, once completed, will increase its capacity from 205 to 260 megalitres per day.
Work includes upgrades to the pipeline, the addition of a new 1 500mm diameter pipeline, and the construction of two additional clarifiers.
To successfully operate its new titanium dioxide pigment and chemicals manufacturing facility at the IDZ, Nyanza requires a supply of 30 megalitres of clarified water daily, and a pipeline to dispose of a daily volume of 20.9 megalitres of gypsum per day.
Commenting on the visit, head of strategic projects and planning at Nyanza Light Metals, Frank Thema said, “It was quite reassuring to witness the ongoing construction works at Nsezi Water Treatment Plant. This long-term expansion gives us confidence about the future of water security in line with the projected demands.”
Mhlathuze Water interim chief executive Dr Simo Lushaba said, “At the same time, as we fulfil our role of enabling economic development, job creation and poverty alleviation, we have not lost sight of the need to ensure communities are not left behind.”
To expand water supply, Lushaba said MW was working closely with municipalities to assist with their water challenges.
“We are working with uMkhanyakude District Municipality to improve its household water reticulation, and are also busy with the construction of a 15 megalitre-per-day water treatment plant to improve supply to eSikhaleni.”