The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is spending about R140 million on the Greater Mthonjaneni Bulk Water Supply Scheme within the uThungulu District Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).

The project seeks to increase current supply of water to communities of the Mthonjaneni Local Municipality.

According to the department this project is not just about providing reliable water but also it addresses health and hygiene, empower communities and to promote employment opportunities among the youth.

The project started in 2007 and is expected to be completed by 2018.The project will provide water services to more than 300 000 beneficiaries.

The source of water for this project is Lake Phobane and when fully operational the project will have a capacity of about 40 Mega Litres per Day (Mℓ/day).

Close to 700 households will benefit from Phase 1 of the project with an estimated 4 500 households expected to benefit from the scheme when both Phase 1 and 2 are completed.

Phase 1 consists of a 20Ml/day Water Treatment Plant and all related infrastructure, as well as balancing tanks and reservoirs.