THE eThekwini Municipality’s Water and Sanitation Unit (EWS) has begun with the commissioning of two vital projects to improve water supply to some parts of the northern areas.
The project includes the new Northern Aqueduct Augmentation (pipeline) and a water rising main (pipeline) from Hazelmere to the Grange Reservoir.
In recent months, areas north of Durban, including uMhlanga have had no water or an intermittent water supply, which has led to growing frustration.
In February, the City said it had replaced more than 70 defective air valves along the 32km Northern Aqueduct bulk pipeline to improve the efficiency of water flow and to increase pressure.
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The municipality’s Water and Sanitation Unit Deputy Head, Jabulani Mayise, said the commissioning of the new Northern Aqueduct, which is currently underway, is set to improve water supply to areas, including Verulam and Phoenix, among others.
“The new Northern Aqueduct Augmentation pipeline interconnects to the existing old aqueduct and aims to improve [the] flow of water supply to areas in the north. This will also help cater for new developments. For now, we are commissioning for Verulam, Phoenix, and surrounding areas. Once we are done with this part, the pipeline will be commissioned to supply areas such as Cornubia and uMhlanga.”
The old Northern Aqueduct is a network of bulk supply pipelines that conveys water from the Durban Heights Treatment Works and supplies water to reservoirs in the north.
The pipeline has been operating at a maximum capacity, and with the increased developments, including residential and commercial, there was a need for the implementation of the aqueduct augmentation explained the City.
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