eThekwini water supply disrupted by heavy rains

Heavy rains wreak havoc in eThekwini, causing significant disruption to the water supply in parts of the region. Including Westville and surrounding areas.

The relentless downpour, that started on the night of 20 March, caused the wash away of a crucial water main. It happened across the Umbilo River in Westville.

The pipeline responsible for conveying water sustained damage, prompting immediate action from the Water and Sanitation Unit to coordinate repair efforts. This pipeline transports water from the Salisbury Reservoir to various locations in Westville.

AFFECTED AREAS IN ETHEKWINI

Affected areas, including prominent locations such as The Pavillion Shopping Centre, Westville South, The Boulevard Office Park, Westville Hospital, sections of Westville Central, and the Berea West area, are experiencing inconvenience due to the interruption of water supply.

The municipality extends its sincere apologies to residents and businesses affected by this disruption, urging patience as repair work progresses.

This adds to the ongoing water crisis being experienced in most parts of the country.

MCHUNU ACKNOWLEDGES WATER SUPPLY MANAGEMENT CHALLENGES

SA News reported that Mchunu acknowledged the current challenge faced by the department regarding water and sanitation services management. He noted that despite dams being full, some areas are experiencing water shortages, with some taps running dry and others lacking taps altogether.

“The main reason for this current problem is that South Africa has solely relied on municipalities for the provision of drinking water to households and businesses, while their capacity has been declining in recent years,” stated Mchunu.

“We recognise that the capacity of municipalities has been found wanting, and the provision of water could not have been an exception in the decline of basic services rendered by municipalities.”

REGION FACES SUPPLY CHALLENGES

The region is grappling with both the immediate impact of heavy rains. There are also broader challenges in water management. Concerted efforts are needed to ensure the resilience and sustainability of water supply systems.