ETHEKWINI Municipality continues to prioritise critical infrastructure projects to address ongoing water challenges affecting residents. One of the major initiatives currently underway is the construction of the 24-kilometre Southern Aqueduct, a pipeline that aims to bring muchneeded relief to areas like Chatsworth, Shallcross, and Northdene, where residents have been experiencing intermittent water supply. This comes as eThekwini Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba welcomed the donation of static tanks from the mobile communications giant Vodacom. The static tanks, which Vodacom described as their contribution to uplift communities in which they operate, will be deployed in areas that have a limited water supply network in the City.

Mayor Xaba commended Vodacom for being a good corporate citizen and encouraged other private sector companies to follow suit. We are grateful for this donation from Vodacom as it demonstrates that if we work together as social partners, we can address developmental challenges plaguing our communities,” said Mayor Xaba. The water supply situation in the City has been exacerbated by a prolonged heatwave, which has increased demand for water beyond the City’s available supply. Head of the Water and Sanitation Unit Ednick Msweli said the water supply challenge is driven by population growth, aging infrastructure, leaks caused by vandalism, and high consumption. “The bulk capacity of all three major treatment works supplying the City has been reached.

EThekwini has been facing a water deficit since 2018. To address this, we are working with the National Department of Water and Sanitation and uMngeniuThukela Water to construct and commission the Lower and Upper uMkhomazi Dam. These projects will be crucial in boosting our water supply,” said Msweli. In the meantime, the City has implemented water rationing in areas serviced by the Southern Aqueduct, an operational measure enacted when demand surpasses supply. Water tankers have also been deployed to affected areas, with schedules coordinated through Ward Councillors and community leaders. The City anticipates that demand will stabilise when temperatures drop, allowing reservoirs to recover. In Verulam, oThongathi, and surrounding northern areas where water shortages have been a persistent issue, the Municipality has been prioritising interventions to improve supply. This includes ongoing weekly “war room” meetings with stakeholders.

The following key projects have been implemented to stabilise water supply in Verulam and surrounding areas:
• Rehabilitation of air valves on the old Northern Aqueduct.
• Commissioning of the new Northern Aqueduct to augment supply.
• Construction and commissioning of the Hazelmere to Grange rising main.
• Modifications to the rising main from the Grange Reservoir to the Mt View Reservoir.
• Refurbishment and commissioning of pumps from the Grange Reservoir to the Mt View Reservoir.

Following these interventions, water supply in the affected areas had largely stabilised until recent disruptions caused by extreme heat and power failures.