Highs in a year Highs ayear year Water Highs inin aa year ofHighs lows –in Umgeni lows –Umgeni Umgeni Water of lows –on Water ofof lows –Umgeni Water delivers its mandate delivers on mandate delivers on its mandate delivers on itsits mandate The supply of water and sanitation services across difficult hilly terrain and vast rural areas in KwaZulu-Natal is a familiar challenge that Umgeni has faced for difficult nearly of water andWater sanitation services across difficult The supply ofsupply water and sanitation services across TheThe supply of water and sanitation services across difficult 50 years. But Covid-19 provided entirely new issues hilly terrain and vast rural areas in KwaZulu-Natal hilly terrain and vast areas in KwaZulu-Natal a is a hilly terrain and vast ruralrural areas in KwaZulu-Natal is is athat forced the water board to Umgeni drastically change thefor way infor nearly familiar challenge that Water Umgeni Water has faced familiar challenge Water has faced for nearly familiar challenge that that Umgeni has faced nearly 50 years. But Covid-19 provided entirely newthat issues which operates. 50ityears. But Covid-19 provided entirely new issues that that 50 years. But Covid-19 provided entirely new issues forced the water to drastically change the the water board to drastically change the way forcedforced the water board toboard drastically change the way ininway in which it operates. it operates. whichwhich it operates.
Nagle Dam Nagle Dam Nagle Dam
Nagle Dam
with Covid-19, we further built upon those areas. In fact, close to 40% of our capital classified as essential workers, “ While capabilities. Presently, we can now remotely expenditure is dedicated towards infrastructure people working within the water with Covid-19, we key further built upon those hile classified as essential workers, Inareas. fact, close to 40% our capital with Covid-19, we further built(with upon areas. those hile classified as essential workers, operate nearly all infrastructure and wastewater sector are unfortunately In areas,” fact, closeofto 40% of our capital “ projects those Naidoo. with Covid-19, we further builtnow upon thosea areas. hile classified as essential workers, “ capabilities. Presently, we can remotely Ininis fact, close towards to adds 40%infrastructure of our capital people working within the water W expenditure dedicated capabilities. Presently, we can now remotely “not people working within the water capabilities. W margin of safety),”says Naidoo. considered ‘frontline workers’ like our expenditure is dedicated towards infrastructure Presently, we can now remotely Wandpeople working within the water operate nearly all key infrastructure (with a wastewater sector are unfortunately expenditure is dedicated towards infrastructure projects in those areas,” adds Naidoo.
operate nearly all key infrastructure (with a projects in those areas,” adds Naidoo. andinwastewater sector are unfortunately colleagues the health sector. “For many years.areas,” Umgeni Water has directed operate all key Naidoo. infrastructure (with a projects and wastewater sector are unfortunately margin nearly of safety),”says not considered ‘frontline workers’ like our in those adds Naidoo. margin Naidoo. not considered ‘frontline workers’ like our Over the past of 18safety),”says months, Umgeni Water has a significant amount of its own resources or margin of safety),”says Naidoo. not considered workers’ like our colleagues‘frontline in the health sector. “For many years. Umgeni Water has directed in the health sector. intoUmgeni an organisation “For many large years.infrastructure Umgeni Water has directed This is colleagues strange because Over funds to co-fund projects, Over the pastevolved 18 months, Water has a“For colleagues in the health sector.there has been successfully significant amount of its own resources or many years. Umgeni Water has therunning past 18 remotely. months, Umgeni Water has a significant amount of its owndirected that is Over largely The water hasoraO resources a justifiable focus on water successfully evolved intoUmgeni an organisation with funds from the Regional Bulk Infrastructure This is increased strange because there has and been Over the past 18 months, Water has funds to co-fund large infrastructure projects, a significant amount of its own resources or asset successfully evolved into an organisation This is strange because there has been board has continued to fulfil its core mandate funds to co-fund large infrastructure projects, sanitation infrastructure and service delivery h that is largely running remotely. The water Grant, water and sanitation evolved into an organisation with This ais justifiable strange increased because focus there on haswater beenand successfully funds from the providing Regional Bulk Infrastructure funds totowards co-fund large infrastructure projects, to Co that is largely running remotely. The water a justifiable increased focus on water and by responding timeously to breakdowns and with funds from the Regional Bulk Infrastructure as a means of combatting the virus. While a board has continued to fulfil its core mandate a sanitation infrastructure and service delivery services to rural municipalities by putting that is largely running remotely. The watermandate Grant, towards providing water Bulk and Infrastructure sanitation a justifiable increased focus onand water and delivery with funds from the Regional board has continued to fulfil itsallcore sanitation infrastructure service countt Grant, towards providing water and sanitation repairing any failures, while meeting water by responding timeously to breakdowns and lot of our support staff (human resource staff as a means of combatting the virus. While a services to rural municipalities by putting infrastructure in the ground (like the uMshwathi board has continued to fulfil its core mandate sanitationasinfrastructure and servicethe delivery Grant, providing water and sanitation responding timeously to breakdowns and towards Umge a means ofstaff combatting virus. While a by repairing any failures, while all water services to rural quantity and quality requirements. lot of work our support (human resource staff members in the frontline are crucial in the ground (likemunicipalities the uMshwathi by puttingc Regional Bulk Water Supply Scheme). responding timeously to meeting breakdowns andall infrastructure as a means of our combatting theand virus. While ato by services to rural municipalities by the putting ISO 5 repairing any failures, while meeting water lot of support staff (human resource staff members work in thewastewater frontline andservices),” are crucial to quantity and quality requirements. infrastructure in the ground (like uMshwathi the supply of water and Regional Bulk Water Supply Scheme). repairingquantity any failures, whilerequirements. meeting all water infrastructure in the ground (like the uMshwathi the ceU lot of ourmembers support staff (human resource staff and quality work in the frontline and are crucial to the supply water and wastewater services),” Regional Bulk Water Supply Scheme). “In addition to water and sanitation supply We also explains Dan inof Naidoo, regional manager of quantity assist them with water demand “AsseI and quality requirements. members work theNaidoo, frontline andwastewater are crucial to Regional Bulk Water Supply Scheme). the supply water and services),” “In addition to water and sanitation supply explains Dan of regional manager of services, We also assiststrategies them with water demand Umgeni Water worked closely with Umgeni Water. management and conservation.” the supply of water and wastewater services),” our bt addition to water and sanitation services, Water worked closely with supply explains Naidoo, regional manager of “In Umgeni Umgeni Water.Dan We also that assist them Water with is water demand“ management strategies and conservation.” municipalities to make sure that a greater Naidoo explains Umgeni unique “In addition to water and sanitation supply explains Umgeni Dan Naidoo, regional manager of We assist with water demand water municipalities to Umgeni make sure that a greater services, Water closely with also Water. thatthem Umgeni Water is conservation.” unique management strategies and people had access toworked water, with Naidoo In a bid to protect its core staff, who are number of o in thatexplains it is not a centralised water board – its Umgeni worked closely with Umgeni number of peopleWater hadto access tosure water, with In Water. a bid to protect its core staff, who are services, management strategies and conservation.” municipalities make that a greater in that it is not a centralised water board – its is uniquew Naidoo which explains that Umgeni Water boreholes and water sure storage tanks. The infrastructure, fundamental to the provision of water and municipalities is spread across KwaZuluto make that a greater boreholes and water storage tanks. The fundamental to the provision of water and number of have people had challenging access to water, with in Naidoo explains Umgeni Water is unique In aservices, bid to protect itsvirus, core Umgeni staff, who past are few which isnot spread across KwaZuluthat it isthat a centralised water board – its been but infrastructure, from the different areas across municipal number of months people access to water, tanks. with past few months had have been but Natal, Inwastewater a wastewater bid fundamental to protect itsto core staff, whoof are services, fromprovision the virus, Umgeni boreholes and waterchallenging storage The inNatal, that itfeeds is different not a centralised water board – KwaZuluits feeds areas across municipal the water and infrastructure, which is spread across also very rewarding for Umgeni Water,” adds WaterWater had to make operational changes. These boundaries. “We have committed to supply also very rewarding for storage Umgeni Water,” adds boreholes tanks. The boundaries. had tothe make operational These fundamental to provision of changes. water and pastand few water months have been challenging but Natal, “We have committed to supply infrastructure, which is spread across KwaZuluwastewater services, from the virus, Umgeni feeds different areas across municipal Naidoo. company employees were transported to to work water and sanitation services to remote areas. Naidoo. company employees workThese past fewalso months have beenforchallenging but water wastewater services, fromwere thetransported virus, Umgeni and sanitation services toacross remote areas. very rewarding Umgeni Water,” adds Natal, feeds different areas municipal Water had to make operational changes. boundaries. “We have committed to supply and back home via specially arranged vehicles. By supplying infrastructure to these places, back home via specially arranged vehicles. also very rewarding for Umgeni Water,” adds Waterand hadcompany to make operational changes. These By supplying infrastructure to these places, Naidoo. employees were transported to work boundaries. have committed supply areas. water “We and sanitation services to to remote INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT Access to all plants was also restricted – INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT Access to all plants was also restricted – weprevent prevent influx of people toareas. other Naidoo. we thethe influx of people to other company and employees were to workvehicles. back home viatransported specially arranged water and services to remote By sanitation supplying infrastructure to these places, making sure that onlyonly the the necessary personnel making sure necessary personnel municipalities that have water services. municipalities that have water services. The The and back home viathat arranged Access tospecially all plants was vehicles. also restricted – INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT By supplying infrastructure to these places, we prevent the influx of people to other As a consequence of Covid-19, the roll-out of As a consequence of Covid-19, the roll-out of werewere onsite. onsite. resettlement of people to these areas put an resettlement of the people to these areas put an INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT Access to all plants wasonly also making sure that the restricted necessary – personnel we prevent influx people other municipalities thatofhave watertoservices. The infrastructure projects projects was was slowed infrastructure slowed down downbyby additional strain on thatthat infrastructure. This This is is additional strain infrastructure. making sure that only the necessary personnel As a consequence of Covid-19, the roll-out of resettlement were onsite. municipalities thatonhave watertoservices. The put an of– people these areas lockdowns, additional additional safety safety concerns, and During the second wave of Covid-19, lockdowns, concerns, and During the second wave of Covid-19, the purpose of an SOE we invest in places the of people an SOEto– these we invest places As a consequence of Covid-19, the roll-out were onsite. infrastructure projects was slowed of downresettlement by purpose of areasin put anThis is additional strain on that infrastructure. difficulty accessing materials. Presently, key members of the operations team their difficulty inin accessing materials. Presently, key members of the operations team leftleft their where nono other businesses wouldn’t, creating where other businesses wouldn’t, creating infrastructure projects was slowed down by lockdowns, additional safety concerns, and During the second wave of Covid-19, additional strain on that infrastructure. This the purpose of an SOE – we invest inis places Umgeni Water has restarted many of its families and were put into isolation in various economic growth.” Umgeni Water has restarted many of its families and werewave put into isolation in various lockdowns, economic growth.”SOE – we invest in places additional safety concerns, and difficulty in accessing materials. Presently, During thekey second Covid-19, members ofofand the operations team left their the purpose capexprojects. projects. There are currently over 25 whereofnoanother businesses wouldn’t, creating hotel rooms or bed breakfasts tokeep keep capex There are currently over 25 hotel rooms or bed and breakfasts to difficulty in accessing materials. Presently, Umgeni Water being has restarted many its no key members of the team left their families andoperations were put into isolation in various development projects – – of where other businesses safe. economic growth.” wouldn’t, creating ASSET MANAGEMENT development projects being implemented implemented themthem safe. ASSET MANAGEMENT Water has restarted many of its capex projects. There are currently over 25 families and put or intobed isolation in various to Umgeni hotelwere rooms and breakfasts keep i.e. pump stations, reservoirs, wastewater economic growth.” i.e. pump stations, reservoirs, wastewater projects. There are currently over 25 While– Umgeni development projects being implemented them hotel “This rooms orsafe. breakfasts keep treatment works, pipelines, water treatment was abed hugeand sacrifice; many to of our staff capex ASSET has aMANAGEMENT capex programme treatment works, pipelines, water treatment “This was a huge sacrifice; many of our staff While Umgeni has a capex programme stations, wastewater projects being implemented – that works,i.e. and pump bulk water supplyreservoirs, schemes. The them safe. members lived away from their homes and development ASSET MANAGEMENT builds new infrastructure, it also has a works, and bulk water supply schemes. The members lived away their homes and that builds new infrastructure, it also has a water board spends up topipelines, R2 billion annuallytreatment treatment works, water pump stations, reservoirs, wastewater families for close tofrom three months. However, “This was a huge sacrifice; many of ouri.e. staff structured asset management that While Umgeni has astrategy capex programme water board spends up and to R2 billion families for close to three months. However, structured asset management strategy thathas a on capital expenditure serves a annually mix of takes infection ratessacrifice; among Umgeni Water staff treatment works, andpipelines, bulk water supply schemes. The works, water treatment lived away from homes and “This wasmembers a huge many of their our staff of existing that builds infrastructure, it also Whilecare Umgeni hasnew ainfrastructure. capex programme onmunicipalities capital expenditure andlarge serves abillion mix infection ratesremained among Umgeni Water staff that are either orof takes care of existing infrastructure. members extremely low andand there water board spends up toand R2urban annually families for close totheir three months. However, works, and bulk water supply schemes. The members lived away from homes structured asset management strategy that that builds new infrastructure, it also has a municipalities that are large andserves urban a or mix members remained extremely low and there veryboard rural remote. wasfor minimal with covid-19 infections,” on and capital expenditure and of maintains infection rates among Umgeni Water water staff Naidoo that Umgeni infrastructure. Water hasthat a spends upeither to R2 billion annually families closenumbers to three months. However, takes caremanagement of existing structured asset strategy very rural and remote. was minimal numbers with covid-19 infections,” addsmembers Naidoo. Naidoo maintainstowards that Umgeni Water has a municipalities areserves either large andofurban or care thorough approach the management remained extremely and on there capital expenditurethat and a mix infection rates among Umgeni Water low staff takes of existing infrastructure. “Thesevery ruralrural municipalities operate in adds Naidoo. thorough approach towards the management of its infrastructure. “Asset management and remote. was minimal numbers with covid-19 infections,” municipalities that are either large and urban or members remained extremely low and there Naidoo maintains that Umgeni Water has a challenging environments operate and often rural municipalities in battle is ofa its In addition to protecting its staff, Umgeni Water “These fundamental component to a successful infrastructure. “Asset management adds Naidoo. rural and remote. was minimal numbers with covid-19 infections,” very thorough approach towards the management Naidoo maintains that Umgeni Water has a with revenue collection. Their balance sheets prioritised the implementation of technology environments and operate often battle In addition to protecting its staff, Umgeni Water challenging infrastructure We have ato clear asset is a fundamental component a successful “These rural municipalities in adds Naidoo. of approach itsbusiness. infrastructure. “Asset management thorough towards the management are therefore unable to sustain significant the to be controlled remotely. “Over the years, with revenue collection. Their balance prioritised the implementation of staff, technology strategy that isWe internationally challenging environments and sheets often management battle infrastructure business. have a clear In addition to protecting its Umgeni Water “These rural municipalities operate is a fundamental to aasset successful of its infrastructure. “Assetcomponent management infrastructure investments. is in the reason benchmarked. Water has used “Over remotethe monitoring are therefore unablecollection. to This sustain significant Astrategy significant portion of our the toUmgeni beprioritised controlled remotely. years, with revenue Their balance sheets management that is internationally the implementation of technology environments and often battle infrastructure business. to Wea have a clear asset In addition to protecting its staff, Umgeni Water challenging why Umgeni Water executes projects in is a fundamental component successful and control solutions; expenditure is geared towards maintenance infrastructure investments. Thistois sustain the reason Umgeni Water used remote monitoring are therefore unable significant benchmarked. A significant portion of our behas controlled remotely. “Over the years, with revenue collection. Their in balance sheets management strategy that internationally prioritisedthe theto implementation of technology partnership with municipalities rural infrastructure business. have aisclear asset and extending the life of ourWe assets.” why Umgeni Water executes projects in and control solutions; infrastructure investments. This is the reason expenditure is gearedA towards maintenance Water has “Over used the remote monitoring are therefore unable to sustain significant management benchmarked. significant portion of our the to be Umgeni controlled remotely. years, strategy that is internationally partnership municipalities in rural why with Umgeni Water projectsand in extending and control the life of our assets.” expenditure is geared towards maintenance investments. Thisexecutes is the reason Umgeni Water has solutions; used remote monitoring infrastructure benchmarked. A significant portion of our partnership withexecutes municipalities in ruralin and extending life of our assets.” why Umgeni Water projects 104 | TOP HR LEADERS and control solutions; expenditure is gearedthetowards maintenance partnership with municipalities in rural and extending the life of our assets.”
