4.1 Providing clean water and managing waste water

There are concerns about the quality of municipal drinking water and failures in the
management of waste water. The Msunduzi Municipality therefore included a section on
'Drinking Water quality and Waste Water management' in their 2010/11 budget document
supporting information as part of the section on Measurable performance objectives and
indicators - section 12 of Schedule A). The following information pertains to Drinking Water
Quality and Waste Water Management:-


Water Service Authority : Msunduzi Municipality

Name of the Water Service Provider : Umgeni Water (For potable water and waste
water)


The Msunduzi Municipality is currently in the assessment period of their Blue Drop status.
During the assessment interview the following where noted as shortcomings:-

Proper Risk assessment that is to undertaken from source to consumer.
A manual showing all water operating procedures.
A full set of SANS 241 analysis, Annexure C is to undertaken least once a year by an
accredited service provider.
Population of Midmar supply system and DV Harris supply system showing
representative sample points.
Analysis should be undertaken by an accredited laboratory.
A proper incident registers with a resolved date column.
Information with regards to SANS 241 standards needs to be published.
Monitoring of network quality changes.
The aforementioned information requires a high level of commitment across different sections of
the Msunduzi Municipality namely; Water Operations, City Health, ICT & Disaster Management.
Msunduzi Municipality also needs to coordinate ensure that a seamless process of monitoring
and communication with clear roles and responsibilities. This is further compounded by the loss
of technical staff which is explained further on.

The current status of the municipality's Water Safety Plan and measures to be taken in
2010/11 and over the MTREF to implement it;

It should be noted that the Msunduzi Municipality currently has a "Water Safety Plan" that was
drawn up internally. The Water Safety plan should reflect key areas that were identified in the
risk assessment. In order for a proper and unbiased risk assessment to be undertaken it is
proposed that external service provider be appointed to undertake such and further assist in the
development of Water Safety Plan.




A brief outline of problems that the municipality is experiencing with regards to the
management of drinking water and sewerage;

The Msunduzi Municipalities Water and Sanitation department currently has a technical vacancy
deficit of 50%. These include core post which directly impact on the management of drinking
water and sewerage. This is further compounded by an ageing fleet which makes it difficult for
the Water and Sanitation sub units to operate effectively.

The Msunduzi Muncipality is in the process of procuring key specialized vehicles and has
already advertised its priority technical posts. The Water and sanitation unit is further in the
process of revising its existing structure in order to ensure that it caters for the compliance
regulations with regards to drinking water and sanitation discharge regulations.

The 2010/11 budget and MTREF allocations proposed/made to fund the above measures.

Operating Funds for Water Quality Testing: R 240 000
Operating Funds for Waste Water Testing: R 120 000 (Lynnfield Park)
Funding to conduct a risk analysis and develop a Water Safety Plan: R 100 000 (Operating).