As part of commemorating National Water Month, Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina is set to commission the completed Maphumulo Bulk Water Supply Scheme in the iLembe District Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal.
Sunday’s commissioning of the completed bulk water supply scheme has been funded by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) and implemented by uMngeni-uThukela Water.
The scheme includes the upgrading of pumps and the expansion of the water treatment plant’s capacity from six to 12 megalitres (12 million litres) per day. It also involved the construction of a weir on the Hlimbitwa River, the installation of raw water pumps, and the laying of bulk pipelines.
Upon completion, the DWS said the scheme is expected to supply potable water to approximately 160 000 households and provide bulk water to communities in Maphumulo, Ngcebo, Maqumbi, and KwaDukuza within the iLembe District.
The oversight visit will be followed by a community engagement session at Dlakathi Hall in Ward 11, KwaMaphumulo.
Observed annually from 1-31 March, National Water Month is led by the DWS. The campaign promotes water conservation, highlights infrastructure development, and mobilises all South Africans to protect and preserve the country’s limited water resources.
The campaign is an expansion of World Water Day commemorated internationally on 22 March.
The 2026 theme: “Water and Gender”, under the campaign slogan “Where Water Flows, Equality Grows”, highlights the deep interconnection between gender equality and water access, calling for women and girls to be centered in water solutions, leadership, and decision-making.
The launch of National Water Month 2026 in KwaZulu-Natal will also see a series of high-level oversight visits to key bulk water infrastructure projects aimed at strengthening long-term water security in the province.
On Monday, 02 March 2026, the Minister will head to the Ugu District to inspect progress on the Lower uMkhomazi Project, which forms part of the broader catalytic uMkhomazi Dam currently under construction.
The project includes the Goodenough Abstraction Works on the banks of the uMkhomazi River, the Ngwadini Dam, and the development of a 100-megalitre per day water treatment works.
Together with the Upper uMkhomazi Dam, to be constructed by the Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA), the Lower uMkhomazi development is expected to provide long-term water security to several municipalities, including eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, iLembe, Ugu, Harry Gwala, and uMgungundlovu districts. – SAnews.gov.za
