RESIDENTS north of Durban have been left frustrated and high and dry on several occasions recently due to constant water interruptions in the area.
The reason for this, says Ward 36 councillor Shontel de Boer, is Umgeni Water conducting maintenance to pipelines supplying the northern areas.
“There is a major pipeline that comes from Umgeni Bulk Water Supply all the way to the north of Durban. At some point, there is a split which goes into Phoenix and Durban North and uMhlanga respectively. This same pipeline was damaged during the floods and needs maintenance as it supplies a host of different areas,” said De Boer.
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“Maintenance was planned for Friday, November 17, however, that did not happen. It was postponed and is taking place today. In the meantime, residents must use water sparingly, and although it is frustrating, bear with the process. There is no timeframe given as to when maintenance will be complete and when the water interruptions will end,” she added.
De Boer encouraged residents to look on the bright side as there is finally maintenance being done.
“I don’t mean to downplay anyone’s concerns and frustrations, but there was no maintenance being done until we had that major week-long water interruption where residents protested outside Virginia Reservoir. For that not to happen again, pipelines need to be in good condition,” she said.
At a recent EXCO meeting, City Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda said the City was aware of the water shortages in the northern areas.
“Our teams on the ground are reporting that the challenge is caused by constant power outages which affects the functioning of Reservoir 3 at the uMngeni-uThukela’s Durban Heights Treatment Works. Following interventions to build up storage at Reservoir 3, the system is slowly picking up to adequate levels to enable the City’s reservoirs to fill up,” he said.
He added that the City’s team is working together with uMngeni-uThukela Water to find a lasting solution.
“As an interim measure, residents will continue to be supplied with water tankers until the system fully recovers,” added Kaunda.
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