Raw water turbidity has improved subsequent to recent rains in the King Cetshwayo District.
Areas affected in the area are uMhlathuze, uMlalazi, Mthonjaneni, Nkandla and uMfolozi.
Turbidity measures how clear the water is from algae, silt, planktons and other particles.
The higher the unit of measurement in NTUs (Nephelometric Turbidity Unit or NYU), the dirtier the water looks.
The uMngeni-uThukela Water Board, said on Tuesday, water went from 20 NTU to above 100 NTU.
The NTU measures the amount of suspended particles in water to determine if it is still within the required drinking water quality standards.
Now measured at 50 NTU, uMngeni-uThukela Water said it was able to increase inflows into the Plant, thus also increasing its supply to the King Cetshwayo District.
“The rains impacted upon the water treatment process and forced us to reduce water inflows into our Melmoth Plant in order to maintain the quality of water supplied to the King Cetshwayo District Municipality.”
As a result, there is a gradual supply of maximum quantities of bulk water to the King Cetshwayo District following a brief period of high water turbidity.
“Our plant is now operating at maximum capacity and we are working with the King Cetshwayo District to build up sufficient storage.”