The eThekwini Municipality has introduced a temporary water rationing plan affecting several northern, southern and western areas following a disruption in raw water supply to the Durban Heights Water Treatment Works.
The disruption occurred last week after a damaged valve at Nagle Dam affected the flow of raw water to the treatment plant.
Bulk water supplier uMngeni-uThukela Water confirmed that the faulty valve has since been repaired. However, the municipality says the treatment plant will require time to return to full reticulation capacity.
Officials say reservoirs and pipelines across the network must stabilise and replenish before the system can operate normally again.
“The stabilisation and replenishment of reservoirs and pipelines across the network is expected to take up to two weeks,” the municipality said.
To assist with recovery, the city, working with uMngeni-uThukela Water, has implemented a system stabilisation and rationing programme aimed at restoring balance to the water supply network.
Under the temporary rationing plan, some consumers will receive water only during the morning, while others will have supply in both the morning and afternoon until the system stabilises.
Residents have been urged to use water sparingly during this period.
Areas affected
Reservoirs supplied by the Northern Aqueduct include areas such as Phoenix, KwaMashu, Ntuzuma, Inanda, Mount Edgecombe, Umhlanga, Durban North and Springfield.
Communities supplied by the Southern Aqueduct include Chatsworth, Shallcross, Malvern, Queensburgh, Umlazi and Westville, among others.
Areas supplied by the Durban Heights Reservoir 1 system include Pinetown, Westmead, Cowies Hill, Clermont and New Germany Industrial.