eThekwini Municipality has announced that the Southern Aqueduct will be shut down for more than 24 hours from Tuesday as part of ongoing work on a new bulk water pipeline, with several areas in the south of Durban expected to be affected.
The pipeline will be switched off at Kidd Place in Malvern at 1am on Tuesday. Work is scheduled to be completed by 7pm on Wednesday, after which the system will be gradually restored.
Municipal spokespersons said contractors will be tying the new pipeline into the existing network as part of the city’s broader upgrade project aimed at ensuring a more reliable bulk water supply.
The Water Services Directorate said it will closely monitor reservoir levels during the shutdown and warned that full recovery of reservoirs could take a few days after the work is completed.
Areas expected to experience water supply interruptions include Umlazi, Folweni, Ensimbini, Chatsworth and Woodlands.
The municipality has released a detailed list of affected reservoirs and suburbs:
Westcliff Reservoir: Bayview, Coedmore, Havenside, Phumphele, Umhlathuzana, Woodhurst, Woodlands, Yellowwood Park.
Umlazi 1/1A Reservoir: Umlazi sections A, B, C, D, E, F, S, T and V.
Umlazi 2 Reservoir: Umlazi sections C, D, F, G, H, J, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, Q, W, AA, BB and CC.
Umlazi 3 Reservoir: Umlazi sections K, L and J.
Umlazi 4 Reservoir: Umlazi sections X (Malukazi), U, Y and Z.
Umlazi 5 Reservoir: Umlazi sections AA, BB and Z.
Umlazi 6 Reservoir: Umlazi sections AA, BB and CC.
Ensimbini 1 and 2 Reservoirs: Ensimbini, Ntabankulu, Mangamazini and Mkhazini.
Folweni 1 and 2 Reservoirs: Folweni A, B and C, Qhosheyiphethe and Dodoza.
Chatsworth 1 Reservoir: Bayview, Bulbul, Croftdene, Havenside, Kharwastan, Phumphele, Silverglen, Umhlathuzana, Westcliff and Woodhurst.
Chatsworth 2 Reservoir: Arena Park, Bayview, Chatsworth Town Centre, Havenside, Kharwastan, Malvern, Phumphele, Silverglen, Umhlathuzana, Westcliff and Woodhurst.
Chatsworth 3 Reservoir: Arena Park, Chatsworth Town Centre, Croftdene, Montford, Risecliff, Silverglen, Welbedagt West and Westcliff.
Chatsworth 4 Reservoir: Arena Park, Bulbul, Chatsworth Town Centre, Crossmoor, Enhlanzeni, Ezinyathini, Klaarwater, Kwamgaga, Montford, Moorton, Phumphele, Risecliff, Shallcross, Silverglen, Welbedagt East, Welbedagt West, Westcliff and Woodhurst.
Shallcross Reservoir: Buffels Bosch, Burlington Heights, Moseley Park, Queensburgh, Savannah Park and Shallcross.
Birchwood Reservoir: Mariann Industrial Park, Mulberry Park, Nirvana Hills and St Wendolins Ridge.
Harinagar Reservoir: Shallcross.
Klaarwater Reservoir: Crossmoor, Klaarwater, Moorton, Moseley Park, Phumphele, Savannah Park, Shallcross and St Wendolins Ridge.
Washington Heights Reservoir (P): Klaarwater, Nsizwaqkazi, Regency Park, Latana, Hlanganisa, Gwala Road Nsizwaqkazi and Sarjoo Road.
Intake Reservoir (Q): Demat, Progress Road, Mawelewele area, Intake Road, Luganda, parts of Nagina Township, Khoseleni area, Sthundu Hills, Dambuza, parts of Bell Tower Road, parts of Grasmere Road and Mpongo Road.
The municipality has urged residents in affected areas to store water ahead of the shutdown and to use water sparingly during the interruption.