Energy and water woes in Durban have been ongoing but there could be light at the end of the tunnel as the city commissions its first water reuse and energy plant to explore innovative solutions. The municipality has commissioned renewable energy and water reuse demonstration pilot plants as part of exploring sustainable solutions to address continuing energy and water supply challenges.
Chairperson of the Economic Development and Planning Committee Councillor Thembo Ntuli unveiled the demonstration plants on behalf of eThekwini Mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda on September 20. This included the reuse water demonstration plant installed at the KwaMashu Wastewater Treatment Works and the Micro-Hydroelectric Turbine Integration System at the uMhlanga Rocks Reservoir 2.
The City’s Water and Sanitation Unit signed a memorandum of agreement with MEB Energy and ALTERELEC technology companies to explore innovative technologies. Councillor Ntuli said ALTERELEC designed and installed a compact 56 kW Micro-Hydroelectric Turbine Integration System at the uMhlanga Rocks Reservoir 2 site. He added that the goal is to assist the municipality to recover untapped energy present in its water distribution network. The water reuse plant by MEB Energy treats secondary effluent to produce potable water that meets the South African National Standard (SANS 241:2015), said Councillor Ntuli.
As the city continues to test different technologies, the water reuse plant is the city’s second pilot project for recycled water following the Remix Demonstration Plant, which is a combined water reuse and reverse osmosis desalination process, said Councillor Ntuli.
“The city is being proactive to prevent a dire situation in the future as water demand continues to grow,” said Councillor Ntuli. “It is significant that we witness how renewable energy solutions can play a role in improving water and electricity supply. This comes hot on the heels of an important announcement that Durban will host the 19th World Water Conference in 2025. We are delighted to get the opportunity, not only to showcase the city, but to play a leading role in the advancement of water reuse technology.”
Councillor Ntuli said the Reuse Monitoring Programme project will produce standards and guidelines beyond SANS241 for reuse projects in the city. The result from the pilot projects will assist the city in implementing its alternate new water scheme. The feasibility study is underway while the renewable energy plant, is at the procurement phase, he said.
The water reuse and renewable energy projects will be undertaken through public-private partnerships while the city conducts oversight of it. These projects are part of the municipality’s Water and Sanitation Security of Water Supply plan, Climate Change Strategies and KZN Reconciliation Strategies, which were adopted by the Council.
Meanwhile, the mayor addressed the water shortage being experienced in the northern parts of the city for the past two to four days. This is due to the low pressure at certain parts of the main northern aqueduct pipeline since September 18, Mayor Kaunda said.
“Municipal teams are working on the ground to ascertain the cause of the low pressure. They will fix the problem once it has been detected,” said Mayor Kaunda.
The affected areas include: Durban North High-Level Reservoir: Redhill, Durban North, Beachway, Umgeni Park, Athlone, Japanese Gardens, and Riverside.
Durban North Low-Level Reservoir: Beachway and Riverside. Virginia 1 and 2 Reservoir: Glen Anil, Glen Hill, uMhlanga Rocks Drive, Parts of Umgeni Park, Blackburn Road, Parkhill, and certain roads in Effingham.
uMhlanga North Reservoir: uMhlanga CBD uMhlanga South Reservoir: uMhlanga CBD and La Lucia Sunningdale Reservoir and Towers: Sunningdale, La Lucia, La Lucia Mall, Glenashley, Glen Anil, Somerset Park, uMhlanga, and La Lucia Ridge.
