Water restoration and repairs under way in Ugu
The mayor said assessments for repairs have been conducted and the damages are estimated at about R2-bn.
The mayor of Ugu, Phumlile Mthiyane along with the General Manager of Water, Sivuyile Mbewu and Communications Manager, France Zama gave an update on water restoration and repairs to major water pipes washed away during the recent floods, on Tuesday this week.
The most affected areas have not had water for over two weeks, and those lucky to receive it, have been getting brown water from their taps.
The mayor said that infrastructure had been greatly affected by the floods which has caused water cuts.
The worst affected pipeline is the South Coast major bulk pipeline which feeds Umdoni and some parts of Umzumbe.
Major repairs are underway on this pipeline and water supply was expected to be restored to Umdoni by yesterday (Wednesday).
Last Thursday, the Ugu leadership inspected the South Coast major bulk pipeline repairs in Isipingo.
The mayor said Ethekwini Municipality needs to complete its repairs before Ugu can continue with repairs and restoration of water.
As the line is part of Ethekwini and Umgeni Water, Ugu has to wait for Ethekwini to conduct its repairs.
A 350mm pipe main line supplying Hibberdene and Umtentweni which had washed away had been found in the Domba River in Sunwich Port on Tuesday.
According to Ugu all resources are being mobilised to reinstate the pipe.
Mthiyane said the Umtamvuna system had been flooded and supply affected, as it has been rendered non-operational. This affects Port Edward, Southbroom, KwaXolo, Izingolweni and KwaNzimakwe. Water tankers have been dispatched to these areas.
St Helen’s Rock was also flooded at the abstraction point.
The mayor said assessments for repairs have been conducted and the damages are estimated at about R2-bn.
Beaches have been closed due to high levels of E-coli because sewage overflowed from the systems.
“Uvongo and Margate beach will reopen when E-coli levels have dropped.”
In Tweni, people complained that community Jojo tanks are usually empty.
The mayor said people should call their ward councillors and inform them to organise water tankers to fill up the tanks.
“We won’t know which tanks are empty so the community will have to work with us on this one, phone your councillor or the municipality, so that the trucks can be sent to fill up.”
France Zama said the most affected municipality by the floods was Ray Nkonyeni.
“Even though I cannot give the exact details and numbers of fatalities and damaged homes, but Ray Nkonyeni was hit badly.”
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