Repaired and refurbished infrastructure brings eThekwini water’s northern supply back online

AQUEDUCT 1 and Reservoir 3 at the Durban Heights’ Umgeni Water Treatment Works in the eThekwini Metro were recommissioned at an event attended by a high-level political delegation on January 13, 2023.

The infrastructure was refurbished with Umgeni Water, acting as the implementing agent. Aqueducts 1 and 2 were severely damaged by rock falls on six sites due to torrential rains that caused flooding and massive landslides. Aqueduct 1 is made of steel and has a capacity of 105 Ml/d, while Aqueduct 2 is a mainly prestressed concrete pipe (PCP) and transfers 155 Ml/d. This had an adverse effect on the provision of water in eThekwini Metro.

Durban Heights Reservoir 3 is a 340 Ml reservoir situated just outside the Durban CBD and supplies potable water to over 500 000 people in areas in Durban’s north, including Inanda, Ntuzuma and KwaMashu. The reservoir underwent heavy operations and maintenance after safety issues were identified at the water storage structure.

At the event, Water and Sanitation Minister, Senzo Mchunu expressed gratitude to Umgeni Water for a job well done. “Aqueduct 1 is fully repaired, we are excited to be commissioning it. This means that 90 Ml/d of raw water will flow from the dam through to the reservoir, and this is good news as it means water supply will be restored. We are looking forward to the completion of Aqueduct 2 at the end of June as per [your] schedule so that it also increases the volume of the much-needed water to the communities,” Mchunu said.

Mchunu implored KwaZulu-Natal’s provincial and local government, Umgeni Water Board and the private sector to work together to ensure water security in the province.

He said that. as a follow-up to the meeting that took place in December last year, where a multi-disciplinary team was set up to deal with water services issues in the eThekwini Metro and the rest of the province, another meeting is set for January 20, 2023, to follow up on some of the decisions taken.

“This will provide us an opportunity to get an update on the progress made in activating some of the decisions taken during those meetings. A technical team was also set to conduct assessments on the needs of the city and will enable us to come up with a way forward on what needs urgent priority,” said Mchunu.

Furthermore, in his conversation with the traditional leaders of KwaNgcolosi Tribal Council along the area where the repair of the pipeline is taking place, Mchunu urged the leaders to caution residents to refrain from building infrastructure on servitudes and riverbanks to prevent future tragedies such as those experienced during the floods.

KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Nomusa Dube-Ncube expressed her appreciation to the teams that worked on the repairs, led by Umgeni Water under the guidance of the Department of Water and Sanitation for working tirelessly to make this day a reality.

This recovery of water infrastructure is part of the overall rebuilding programme of the provincial government. “A lot has been achieved, and much still needs to be done but let us persists to work together with a view of building a better KwaZulu-Natal. We appeal to residents, industries, and businesses to play their part by paying for water provision so that we can maintain and expand our water infrastructure. Let us repair leaks in our homes and report those that need to be attended by the municipality, conserve and use water sparingly, understanding that water is a critical but a scarce resource, said Dube- Ncube.

In his closing remarks, Mchunu hinted at some of the projects that the Department is undertaking in order to ensure water security. The projects include but are not limited to the Hazelmere Dam wall expansion project that is nearing its completion, the construction of Smithfield and Ngwadini Dams in the upper uMkhomazi, as part of the bigger uMkhomazi Bulk Water Supply Scheme to further augment the current supply of water in the province.

Minister Mchunu was joined by a KwaZulu-Natal Provincial government delegation, led by Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube, Executive Mayor of eThekwini, Cllr Mxolisi Kaunda, and an Umgeni Water delegation, led by the Board Chairperson Ziphozethu Mathenjwa.