DURBAN - Umgeni Water says raw water supply to the Durban Heights Water Treatment Plant (WTP) is increasing incrementally through three urgent interventions that have been implemented.
In a statement issued today it explained that there are four Aqueducts that service Durban Heights WTP.
In last week’s torrential rains, Aqueduct 1 and Aqueduct 2 broke in massive rock falls close to Molweni, Inanda. It was subsequently discovered in ongoing assessments that these aqueducts were also damaged at other points along their route from Nagle Dam and to the Durban Heights WTP. Therefore, these aqueducts were taken out of service.
Shami Harichunder, Corporate Stakeholder Manager at Umgeni Water, said urgent action had been taken to augment raw water resources.
“There has been optimisation of Aqueduct 3 and Aqueduct 4 by moving additional water through them in order to partially compensate for temporary decommissioning of Aqueduct 1 and Aqueduct 2. This strategy has made it possible for more potable water to become available from the Durban Heights WTP in the aftermath of the storms. These aqueducts carry, on average, 200 megalitres each.”
Harichunder added that additional raw water, estimated at 100 megalitres, is being drawn from Inanda Dam and transported to the Durban Heights WTP using shaft pumps.
“Repairs to damaged infrastructure are being conducted in-house and on a daily basis to assist with stabilisation of the system.”
Harichunder said that strategies had produced much needed short-term gains that have allowed Umgeni Water to minimise uninterrupted supply of potable water from the Durban Heights WTP.
“Immediately after damage to Aqueduct 1 and Aqueduct 2, the amount of potable water supplied to eThekwini Metro was, on average, 380 megalitres. The shortfall then amounted to approximately 200 megalitres. Implementation of these measures has resulted in an average increase in output of approximately 100 megalitres of potable water.”
Harichunder added that Umgeni Water is confident that incremental increases in raw water supply through Aqueduct 3 and Aqueduct 4, along with ongoing augmentation from Inanda Dam and other interventions, will assist in optimising supply from Durban Heights WTP.
“In line with a mapped project schedule, it will be possible to reach the daily average that is taken by eThekwini Metro. Good progress is also being made with completion of comprehensive assessment of damage. On Tuesday, additional aerial surveillance of damage was conducted using a helicopter that was chartered by Umgeni Water.”
Harichunder said once a full assessment is completed, a clear picture will emerge of the extent of damage, financial resources required to repair or replace infrastructure and the duration of work.
“One of the priorities from the assessment report will be preparation of scope of work by 24 April 2022 for service providers and contractors to implement when appointed.”
Harichunder also said that work is continuing on increasing potable water production at Hazelmere WTP, in the north of Durban, as raw water quality improves.
Last Wednesday, production of potable water was temporarily halted due to extremely high turbidity in raw water from the plant’s supply source, Hazelmere Dam.
“The plant began operating again on 15 April 2022 when raw water quality improved. This plant supplies eThekwini Metro, iLembe District Municipality and Siza Water for distribution to outlying northern areas of Durban and parts of iLembe, including Ndwedwe and Ballito, respectively.”
MOST READ:
– ‘Witnesses’ to Premier Sihle Zikalala’s 'water tanker' debacle at his home, tell a different story
– Durban resident explains what happened in clash with city officials over “theft” of donated goods
– Couple arrested for allegedly defrauding the KZN Blind and Deaf Society of R12m