eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba has urged residents to remain patient as repair teams work to restore normal water supply following a leak on the Southern Aqueduct.
Xaba conducted a site inspection in Westville on Monday to assess progress on the repairs, which began last week and have affected water supply to parts of central and southern eThekwini.
The mayor also visited Chatsworth Reservoir 4 to assess water levels and determine the impact of the leak on the city’s supply network.
Xaba said the reservoir was not reaching the level needed to supply Umlazi Reservoir 2 at full capacity.
He explained that Umlazi Reservoir 2 is a key facility that supplies water to several other reservoirs, but the leak has resulted in both reservoirs being supplied through a single pipe.
“That means a reduced volume. There is water, but it’s supplied by one pipe. It’s reduced,” Xaba said.
According to the mayor, an additional pipe is currently being repaired, with a specialist brought in to assist with the work.
Despite the current challenges, Xaba said the R1.2 billion Southern Aqueduct upgrade remains on track for completion by December.
The project is expected to strengthen the city’s water infrastructure and improve supply reliability for more than one million residents.
Authorities are continuing to work on the repairs as affected communities experience reduced water availability.