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The uMngeni-uThukela Water (UUW) is monitoring treated water daily for its customers, including eThekwini Municipality, to ensure it remains safe for human consumption.
The UUW reported significant progress in reducing levels of 2-Methylisoborneol (2-MIB), the naturally occurring compound responsible for the earthy and musty taste and odour that has affected portions of the water supplied to eThekwini in recent months.
The management of UUW briefed the eThekwini Executive Committee (Exco) on the status of water quality on Thursday, reporting that its interventions have successfully reduced 2-MIB in the water supplied through the Wiggins Water Treatment Works.
“The water utility explained that the elevated 2-MIB levels resulted from increased algal activity in Inanda Dam, which affected the quality of raw water abstracted for treatment at the Wiggins Water Treatment Works,” stated the UUW report.
The municipality stated that while the compound affects the taste and odour of drinking water, it does not pose a health risk.
To address the issue, UUW has implemented a range of mitigation measures to improve raw water quality and optimise the treatment process.
The municipality explained that the process includes enhanced monitoring of water quality and quantity from the catchment through to the consumer, providing early warning of changes in raw water quality, and enabling timely optimisation of treatment processes.
“The utility has also intensified dam and abstraction management by implementing multi-level abstraction strategies and drawing water from lower levels of the dam where appropriate, to reduce the impact of eutrophication and improve raw water quality,” the municipality stated.
In addition, advanced treatment chemicals are being applied as required to remove taste and odour compounds during the treatment process.
The UUW advised EXCO that daily monitoring of treated water continues and has consistently confirmed that the water remains safe for human consumption and complies with the requirements of the South African National Standard for Drinking Water.
The UUW stated that in April 2026, increased levels of blue-green algae were detected in the raw water source supplying the Wiggins Water Treatment Works. This resulted in elevated 2MIB levels in treated water supplied to the central and southern parts of eThekwini.
zainul.dawood@inl.co.za
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