WATER outages have plagued parts of Glenwood and Umbilo for weeks after the KZN floods which wreaked havoc across the city. In April, the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Senzo Mchunu, issued a statement, saying the estimated cost of infrastructure repairs was R1b. After another bout of heavy rains in May, issues with infrastructure continue to trickle down to residents.
Now, Ward 33 Councilor Sakhile Mngadi says an informal water-shedding schedule has been put in place with water being turned off at intervals, much like load-shedding. He said residents in Umbilo and Glenwood have reported lengthy water outages with water flow typically coming to a stop in the evening and returning the following morning.
This does not impact all residents as not all reservoirs were impacted.
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“A lot of our reservoirs, particularly the Wiggins reservoir, that supplies Glenwood and Bluff, was clogged and full of soot (after the May rains). This has resulted from some damage caused during the recent storm. The City needed to resolve the issue and clean the reservoirs – a task that was expected to be completed by Friday, June 3. The City has now entered into is a water-shedding schedule. In some areas, the water goes off at 17:30 and returns at 05:30. In other places, the water is off from about 16:00 until 07:00. We aren’t clear on when the scheduled water-shedding times are,” said Mngadi.
He said there have been outages reported on Brand, Cromwell, Bulwer and Ferguson roads, however, the only ongoing water outage is at Flamingo Court in Umbilo.
“We noticed a drastic chain of events unfold from Saturday, May 28. There was a large water outage – about 70% of the entire ward was without water. The initial report from the City was that it was widespread – including Bluff, Yellow Wood Park, most of Westville, Kloof, Hillcrest and some parts north of Durban.
“The City report said the inlet from uMngeni Water into the City was clogged up. Some of them were full of sand or soot which was affecting the water supply and water quality. Some pipes had to be turned off,” explained Mngadi.
Flamingo Court
While flood damage has impacted water flow across the city, residents of Flamingo Court say their battle began long before the floods.
Janice Ogle, who lives on the 12th floor, said problems with water pressure leave residents above the third floor with a haphazard water supply.
“Before the floods, Flamingo Court always had an issue with water. There’s a pipe outside which connects water from the fire hydrant on the road to the first, second and third floors, but we are a 13-floor block of flats. We have requested the municipality remove this pipe and install a new water meter so there will be enough water pressure to supply water to all floors,” she said.
As a resident, Olge is left high and dry in her day-to-day life.
“Water is on for an hour, then off for an hour. If I put a load of washing on and the water goes off, I have to stop the machine and wait for the water to come back on.
This has been ongoing for about a year. It is worse now after the floods,” said the concerned resident.
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Another resident Taslyn Wright, who lives on the 10th floor, echoed Olge’s concerns, saying the water issues have worsened after the recent floods.
“Since the flood, there has been no water for days. We can’t use the toilet, cook or clean – we can’t do anything. It’s an inconvenience for those of us who work – I have to find a way to shower to go to work. I would rather be without electricity – water is essential. There are more than 200 people living at Flamingo Court with this issue. The ward councillor has been trying to assist, and a water tanker is coming here every second day to help,” said Wright.
Mngadi has advised residents to stockpile water until the water issues are resolved.
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