Thousands of residents and businesses across Durban are expected to experience water supply interruptions this week as the eThekwini Municipality undertakes a planned shutdown of the Southern Aqueduct bulk pipeline system.
The municipality said the Southern Aqueduct will be shut down from 1am on Thursday, 21 May, until 1pm on Friday, 22 May, to allow contractors to complete critical pipeline tie-ins as part of the ongoing upgrade of the 24-kilometre bulk water pipeline.
Officials said the shutdown will also allow sections of the pipeline to be scoured ahead of the installation work.
The city warned that although work is expected to be completed on Friday, reservoir recovery could take several days before water supply fully stabilises in affected areas.
Communities expected to be impacted include parts of Klaarwater, Shallcross, Chatsworth, Queensburgh, Malvern, Umlazi, Savannah Park, Northdene, Mount Vernon, Moseley Park, Woodhurst, Bayview, Westcliff, Folweni and surrounding areas supplied through multiple reservoirs connected to the Southern Aqueduct system.
The municipality said water tankers will be deployed to affected communities during the shutdown period.
The work forms part of broader efforts to improve long-term water supply reliability and infrastructure capacity in the southern parts of Durban.
Residents have been urged to use water sparingly ahead of the shutdown and to make the necessary preparations.
The municipality apologised for the inconvenience caused and encouraged residents to use the municipal mobile app, WhatsApp line or toll-free call centre to report water-related issues and receive updates.