A team of skilled personnel has been deployed to assess parts of the Southern Aqueduct following a drastic reduction in water inflow to several areas in the southern and central regions of Durban.
The 24-kilometre Southern Aqueduct is a critical pipeline, delivering potable water from uMngeni-uThukela’s Durban Heights Water Treatment Works to 26 reservoirs. The summer season’s soaring demand, coupled with the current heatwave, has placed immense strain on the system.
According to uMngeni-uThukela’s Monitoring Centre, daily water demand now exceeds supply from Durban Heights by approximately 100 megalitres. This imbalance has resulted in low water pressure and disrupted supply in high-level zones and at the tail ends of the distribution systems. Some of the areas affected include Shallcross, Umlazi, Chatsworth, Queensburgh, Klaarwater, Folweni, Westville and surrounding areas.
To address the crisis, the municipality has implemented several emergency interventions. These include:
Identifying and repairing leaks across the system.
Inspecting and replacing faulty control valves and meters.
Lowering water pressure to reduce loss through leaks.
Installing restrictors to assist reservoirs in coping with demand.
Municipal spokesperson Gugu Sisilana said water rationing had also been introduced to ensure a fair distribution of available supply, while water tankers continue to service severely affected areas.
“The City acknowledges that rapid urbanisation has exacerbated intermittent supply issues in parts of the southern and central networks. However, an upgrade to the Southern Aqueduct, launched in early 2024, is expected to bring much-needed relief. This major project includes the construction of a new pipeline and repairs to the existing infrastructure, significantly improving water flow to affected areas,” said Ms Sicilana.
She urged residents to use water sparingly during this time to prevent further strain on the system. The City has expressed its apologies for the inconvenience and appreciates the public’s patience as they work to stabilise the situation. For updates or to report issues, residents can:
Download the eThekwini Municipality Mobile App.
WhatsApp 073 148 3477.
Call the toll-free number: 080 311 1111.
Email: Eservices@durban.gov.za.
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