Durban residents brace for three-day water outage in these areas

In a bid to ensure the continued delivery of safe and potable water, Umngeni-uThukela Water (UUW) has issued a cautionary notice to residents and businesses in Ndwedwe, Verulam, Waterloo, La Mercy, and the eThekwini metro, of a three-day water shutdown.

According to a UUW statement, the shutdown, which was scheduled to kick off on Friday, 20 October at 1am, would be implemented until 6am on Monday, 23 October.

Three-day water shutdown coupled with temporary interruption

In addition to the three-day shutdown, the water provider has announced a temporary eight-hour shutdown of the pipeline to the La Mercy Reservoir. This interruption was expected to take place from 8am to 4pm on Friday, 20 October 2023.

The temporary halt of water supply in these designated areas is essential to facilitate the installation of a coated pipe spool in the meter chamber. It might be a short interruption, but it’s vital to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of the water distribution system.

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Vital maintenance work

Meanwhile, the three-day interruption in water supply is attributed to vital maintenance work scheduled at the Hazelmere Water Treatment Plant in Verulam.

The primary objective is to facilitate the cleaning of one of its critical clarifiers.

Siyabonga Maphumulo, spokesperson for Umngeni-uThukela Water, stressed the importance of water conservation during the shutdown period.

He urged residents to use water sparingly, emphasising that doing so would help minimise potential disruptions to daily activities and essential services.

How to get through a water outage

Dealing with a water outage can be challenging, but with some preparation and the right steps, you can get through it more comfortably. Here’s what you can do.

Store Water: In case of planned water outages, store an adequate supply of water in clean containers. You’ll need at least one gallon per person per day for drinking and basic hygiene. It is advisable to fill up your bathtub and other containers with water

ALSO READ: Gauteng Health warns of water interruptions at hospitals

Pool water for the toilet: You can use pool water for flushing the toilet and handwashing, but it’s essential to remember this water is not safe to drink.