“Unintentional shutdown” leaves residents high and dry

AN unintentional closure of a pipe valve by Umgeni Water technicians caused a serious water supply interruption in the outer west region on Thursday, 31 July.

Residents from Hillcrest, Forest Hills, Botha’s Hill, Crestholme, Summerveld, Waterfall, Pinetown and Cowies Hill said that they had either experienced extremely low water pressure or have been stuck without water for most of the day.

Residents were not only frustrated that they could not perform daily chores, but were also concerned that they would not be able to hydrate their cattle or horses.

Shami Harichunder, the corporate stakeholder manager of Umgeni Water, confirmed that the valve of a pipe that supplies water to eThekwini’s department of water and sanitation was unintentionally closed on Wednesday.

“The valve was re-opened the same day, and luckily it was not long before the mistake was discovered. Once discovered it was immediately attended to by Umgeni staff,” said Harichunder.

Neil Macleod, eThekwini Municipality’s head of Water and Sanitation, explained that the shutdown of a supply point, located between Cato Ridge and Camper Down, just outside of Pietermaritzburg, had affected the water supply of six reservoirs, which dispense water to the outer west area.

“We suddenly noticed that the reservoir levels were dropping like stones. Our technicians initially suspected a leak, but an investigation revealed that no water was coming in at all,” said Macleod.

According to the HOD, once Water and Sanitation technicians had determined the cause of the water supply interruption the reservoirs had already run dry.

“The problem is that once the reservoirs were completely empty they are difficult to fill. The water demand of such a large area is so high that the reservoirs were drained faster than what they could refill. We had to close some of the reservoirs to allow them to fill up,” said Macleod.

Water tanks had been sent out to provide the community with water, while the reservoirs were restocked. The department of sanitation has requested an official report from Umgeni Water, outlining the cause of the shutdown.

“Umgeni Water has agreed to supply us with a report. Any shutdown or intentional interruption of water supply is in contravention of the bulk supply agreement,” said Macleod.

Umgeni Water “sells” volumes of water to the department Water and Sanitation, whom in turn provides residents of the eThekwini Municipality with water and sanitation services, said Macleod.

Social media reports claimed that the reservoirs, responsible for supplying the area with water, have been closed in the hopes of refilling them.

It was alleged that there has been a glitch during the recent switch-over of the Western Aqueduct pipes have caused the issue.

An employee of the Western Aqueduct project, however, said the Western Aqueduct project involves brand new pipes that are being laid metres away from the existing pipeline.

“The pipeline has not been connected. Before the switch-over is done, which will only likely be done next year, we will provide residents with adequate warning,” said the source.