A newly launched water transfer scheme upgrade will secure water supply for the Richard’s Bay area.

This medium term solution will see the upgrade of the Thukela-Goedertrouw Transfer Scheme through which water will be pumped from the Thukela River to the Goedertrouw Dam.

The upgrading of the Thukela-Goedertrouw Transfer Scheme is now underway and is meant to prevent the Richards Bay area from running out of water – a possibility within the year if nothing was to be done – reports the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS).

The Goedertrouw Dam is Zululand’s major water resource and has currently reached a record low level of 25%. “The time has come therefore for action to double the feeder pipeline from the Tugela River, thus the upgrade,” the DWS said in a statement.

The R410 million project commenced in June and is expected to take 12 months to complete.