Drought Relief for Kwazulu-Natal Province, South Africa
Project Theme
10,000 m3/Day of Seawater Desalination.
Project description
MEB was contracted to design and supply 10,000 m3/Day seawater desalination solution in order to augment the domestic water supply and avoid further hardship for the communities in and around Richards Bay.
Scope
Design, build and supply
commission, start-up and remote monitoring
In the increasingly demanding and the complex world we live, we ensure that our client’s operations are supported and assisted through a service business that is well-positioned to supply a comprehensive suite of services and solutions to the industries we serve.
MEB provides its clients with a comprehensive scope of management solutions all designed to ensure each project meets the highest possible standards and fulfills its true revenue potential.
"The launch of the plant is meant to assist in enhancing security of supply within the King Cetshwayo District Municipality.
The plant was launched in recognition of the centrality of water in all socio-economic development, appreciating that the water sector is critical for government’s transformation and development objectives, while the provision of safe and accessible water supply and sanitation services profoundly affects poor people’s daily lives.
In recognition of the sustained drought conditions experienced in the province, the KZN Provincial Cabinet issued a drought disaster declaration in December 2014.
Challenges drove the department to seek and provide a short term intervention.
This was done by the introduction of the 10 Megalitre/day desalination plant in order to augment the domestic water supply and avoid further hardship for the communities in and around Richards Bay.
The desalination plant will benefit the whole town of Richards Bay and surrounding communities from the sea water treated. It will directly benefit the communities of Mandlazini, Nseleni, Khoza, Mzingazi and the Mbonambi Rural Water Supply Scheme.
The water reservoirs in the region have greatly improved since the operation of the desalination plant adding water security and reliability. The reservoirs in this respect include Mapolwane, Khoza, Nseleni, Mandlazini, Meerensee and Brackenham. These reservoirs have moved from an average of 55% to 90%.
Minister Mokonyane aptly put it: “We are delighted to announce that the desalination plant is now 100% complete and functional. In fact, the plant started to produce water on the 14 November 2016 and a total of 10ML/day production was commissioned by 25 January 2017”.
Source - https://www.gov.za/speeches/dws-launches-critical-richards-bay-desalination-plant-12-may-2017-0000