DURBAN - EThekwini Municipality announced on Sunday that additional water tankers have been secured to deliver water to the most flood affected wards whose taps have run dry due to damage to water infrastructure across the municipality.
Municipal spokesperson Msawakhe Mayisela said the much-needed additional tankers include part of a hired fleet, donated water tankers and tankers loaned from other municipalities and government departments.
“In addition, more filling points for the fleet have also been made available to alleviate the challenge on some filling points that have dried up,” he said.
The municipality said it acknowledges and apologises for the frustration to communities caused by the water challenges.
It urged communities to ensure unhindered access to water tankers for everyone.
Mayisela said eThekwini Water and Sanitation is working around the clock on repairs.
Several areas have been reconnected, including:
- In the inner west region, water supply was restored to most parts of Reservoir Hills, Pinetown, New Germany, Westville North, and Westville Central.
- In the south, supply has been restored in uMlazi C-Section, KwaMakhutha, and Lovu C-Section.
Repair work is ongoing in affected areas including:
- Shallcross, Impola, Leligwababa, KwaDabeka, Clermont, KwaNdengezi, and Impola Taxi Rank.
- In the north region, work is ongoing in La Mercy, Glen Anil, uMhlanga Rocks Drive, Virginia, and Amaoti among others to restore supply.
- Teams are also on site carrying out repairs in Mount Edgecombe and the Valleyview-Redcliffe area while extensive infrastructure repairs are required in the uMdloti area.
- In the central regions, work is ongoing in Shallcross, Burlington Heights, Moorton, uMlazi, Isipingo, Prospecton, Lotus Park, Folweni, Nsimbini, Mobeni, Bluff, Merebank, Morningside, Berea, Overport, Sydenham, Bayhead, and Westcliff.
- In the outer west region, plumbers were on site repairing pipes in Mpumalanga B and C sections.
Mayisela said damage to infrastructure is extensive in oThongathi where the Water Treatment Works has been decimated, while similarly around Prospecton, infrastructure needs major repairs, which could take a while to effect.
“Some sites are still inaccessible, and teams are waiting for the rain to subside before carrying out disaster assessments and the scope of work to be undertaken,” he said.
He further explained that what is compounding the water challenge is damage to Umgeni Water infrastructure, which resulted in Umgeni only supplying less than 50% of the normal daily quantities.
“Umgeni is the bulk ewater supplier to eThekwini. It is, however, encouraging that Umgeni has committed that by 24 April they will be able to restore 96% of the normal supply to eThekwini,” he said.
However, Mayisela said the public must note that some leaks will only be discovered once water supply has been restored, which might further delay restoration to some areas.
Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda appealed to those who do have water to use it sparingly for it to last as long as possible.
“Ward councillors are being engaged to assist with facilitating the provision of tankers to communities. Where there are challenges with tankers the community should contact the ward councillor. I also want to assure the community that the water we are providing continues to be of a high quality," said Kaunda.