Major pipeline repair to leave parts of Durban with 48-hours of water cuts

Residents and businesses across parts of Durban have been warned to prepare for a planned reduction in bulk water supply next week as essential repairs are carried out on the Southern Aqueduct pipeline.

The reduction will begin at 08:00 on Wednesday, 12 August, and is expected to continue until 08:00 on Friday, 14 August.

The eThekwini Municipality’s Water Operations Department will shut down the existing 1 200mm pre-stressed concrete pipeline (PCP) on the Southern Aqueduct to allow contractors to carry out sectional repairs.

The work is being undertaken in preparation for the new Southern Aqueduct Pipeline Upgrade Project.

Another water supply pipeline will remain operational

The City said the shutdown will reduce bulk water supply through the Southern Aqueduct during the repair period.

However, the existing 1 200mm steel pipeline will remain operational and will continue supplying water to the western, central and southern regions of Durban.

The sectional repair work will take place at the intersection of Perth Road and Hi Wycombe Road in Westville.

The City will monitor reservoir storage levels throughout the shutdown. Depending on water demand and available reservoir levels, some reservoir outlets may be temporarily closed.

This is intended to preserve available water storage and reduce the time required for the system to recover once bulk water supply has been restored.

Which areas will be affected?

A number of Durban suburbs and communities in the central and southern regions, as well as parts of the Pinetown South system, could experience reduced water supply.

Central region

The affected central Durban areas include:

Northdene 1 & 2 Reservoirs: Farningham Ridge, Hillary, Malvern, Mount Vernon, Queensburgh, Queensmead Industrial and Shallcross.

Firwood Reservoir: Farningham Ridge, Malvern, Moseley Park, Mount Vernon, Nirvana Hills, Northdene and Queensburgh.

Ridley Park Reservoir: Coedmore, Farningham Ridge, Hillary, Malvern, Memorial Park, Mount Vernon, Queensburgh, Umbilo, Umhlathuzana and Umkhumbaan.

Chatsworth 4 Reservoir: Arena Park, Bulbul, Chatsworth Town Centre, Crossmoor, Enhlanzeni, Ezinyathini, Klaarwater, Kwamgaga, Montford, Moorton, Phumphele, Risecliff, Shallcross, Silverglen, Welbedagt East, Welbedagt West, Westcliff and Woodhurst.

Shallcross Reservoir: Buffels Bosch, Burlington Heights, Moseley Park, Queensburgh, Savannah Park and Shallcross.

Harinager: Shallcross.

Klaarwater: Crossmoor, Klaarwater, Moorton, Moseley Park, Phumphele, Savannah Park, Shallcross and St Wendolins Ridge.

Chatsworth 1 Reservoir: Bayview, Bulbul, Croftdene, Havenside, Kharwastan, Phumphele, Silverglen, Umhlathuzana, Westcliff and Woodhurst.

Chatsworth 2 Reservoir: Arena Park, Bayview, Chatsworth Town Centre, Havenside, Kharwastan, Malvern, Phumphele, Silverglen, Umhlathuzana, Westcliff as well as Woodhurst.

Chatsworth 3 Reservoir: Arena Park, Chatsworth Town Centre, Croftdene, Montford, Risecliff, Silverglen, Welbedagt West and Westcliff.

Westcliff: Bayview, Coedmore, Havenside, Phumphele, Umhlathuzana, Woodhurst, Woodlands as well as Yellowwood Park.

Southern region

Several areas supplied by the Umlazi, Ensimbini and Folweni reservoir systems are also affected.

Umlazi 1/1A Reservoir: Umlazi A, B, C, D, E, F, V, S and T Sections.

Umlazi 2 Reservoir: Umlazi M, L, J, K, H, R, Q, P, BB, CC, AA, F, G, W, C, D and N Sections.

Umlazi 3 Reservoir: Umlazi J, K and L Sections.

Umlazi 4 Reservoir: Umlazi X (Malukazi), Y and Z Sections.

Umlazi 5 Reservoir: Umlazi AA, BB as well as Z Sections.

Umlazi 6 Reservoir: Umlazi BB, CC and AA Sections.

Ensimbini 1 & 2: Ensimbini, Ntabankulu, Draaihoek, Mahlabathini, Mangamazini and Mkhazini.

Folweni 1 & 2 Reservoirs: Folweni A, B and C, Golokodo, Dodoza and Isiphingo Esincane.

Pinetown South system

The planned reduction will also affect parts of the Pinetown South system.

N-Pumpstation: Klaarwater, Phumphele, St Wendolins area, part of Nsizwaqkazi, Savannah Park Phase 1 and 2, as well as Wiltshire Factories.

Washington Heights (Reservoir P): Klaarwater, Nsizwaqkazi, Regency Park, Latana, Hlanganisa, Gwala Road and Sarjoo Road.

Intake Reservoir (Reservoir Q): Demat, Progress Road, Mawelewele area, Intake Road, Luganda, part of Nagina Township, Khoseleni area, Sthundu Hills, Dambuza, part of Bell Tower Road, part of Grasmere Road as well as Mpongo Road.

The City said it will continue monitoring the network and reservoir levels during the work, with the aim of restoring normal bulk water supply as quickly as possible once the repairs are completed.