DURBAN - UMGENI Water says the refurbishment of a shaft pump from the Durban Heights Water Works is progressing well and on schedule.
Shami Harichunder, the corporate stakeholder manager at Umgeni Water, said: “Work is progressing well on the refurbishment of Pump 1, which failed on the night of November 11, precipitating water shortages in many parts of Durban. Reports received by Umgeni Water from the contractor appointed to undertake the work show that the programme for refurbishment and re-installation of this emergency shaft pump is in line with the schedule provided by the contractor.”
Harichunder further said that the shaft pump was removed and taken to Johannesburg where work was being conducted on it.
According to the schedule, the pump was due to be re-installed at the Durban Heights Water Works by December 19, after which commissioning would begin.
“This shaft pump conveys raw water from Inanda Dam to the Durban Heights Water Works. Water is being pumped from Inanda Dam because of adequacy. As a result of pump failure, there is an ongoing deficit in raw water supply, resulting in reduced volumes of potable water being supplied to eThekwini Water and Sanitation.
“Areas in the north, south, central and inner west of Durban are affected by intermittent water supply,” he added.
Umgeni Water said it was using a system in which supply from some legs of Reservoir 2 at Durban Heights Water Works were discontinued for some parts of the day, while others continued to supply water.
It said this was done on a rotational basis and supported by controlled supply from eThekwini Water and Sanitation.
This meant that supply areas received water for some parts of the day while others were closed off, and this system was then rotated.
Harichunder said that certain measures needed to be followed in order for sufficient supply to be maintained.
“As an operating rule, Reservoir 2 has to remain at three metres or above in order for there to be adequate pressure to supply high-lying areas. There have been occasions in which this reservoir fell to one metre, causing acute water shortages and low pressure. In consequence, some areas were not able to receive water,” he said.
He added that consumers were encouraged to play their part and use water sparingly.
“An appeal is made to consumers to support initiatives that have been implemented to conserve and use water sparingly. Consumers are also urged not to store more water than they require for use in a day. Any spike in demand results in rapid depletion in reservoir levels, and this must be avoided.
“Umgeni Water apologises profusely for the inconvenience that consumers are experiencing, and assures them everything possible is being done to return the situation to normal,” said Harichunder.
THE MERCURY