uMngeni-uThukela Water works to repair pipe leak affecting supply in eThekwini and uMgungundlovu

KwaZulu-Natal's bulk water supplier, uMngeni-uThukela Water, is currently engaged in urgent repairs following a pipeline leak that has led to temporary water supply interruptions in some areas of the eThekwini and uMgungundlovu districts.

On Saturday, the water supplier detected a leak on the critical 53 pipeline, which is responsible for transporting 30 megalitres of water daily from the DV Harris Waterworks to the uMlaas Road Reservoirs. The pipeline was promptly isolated to assess the damage, ensuring that no further water was lost during the process.

Siyabonga Maphumulo, the spokesperson for uMngeni-uThukela Water, provided an update on the situation, noting, “The pipeline has been isolated, the leak has been stopped, and we are no longer losing any water.” He went on to explain that repairs are set to commence as soon as the ground dries out, which was hampered by the rain that fell on Saturday.

“Tomorrow (Monday), we anticipate starting the repairs in earnest,” Maphumulo added, highlighting the team's commitment to rectifying the situation as quickly as possible.

While the 53 pipeline remains temporarily offline, uMngeni-uThukela Water assured the public that the Midmar Waterworks would still service the uMlaas Road Reservoirs through an alternative route via the 61 pipeline. However, consumers in the outer west of eThekwini Municipality and pockets within the uMgungundlovu District may still experience some level of disruption, with areas like Point M, Umbumbulu Reservoir, Eston, Mid Illovo, and Mkhambathini being highlighted as potentially affected nodes.

Maphumulo provided further details, stating, “Fortunately, we have a backup of the 61 pipeline. What we will have is a reduction in pressure; maybe in some areas, there might be interruptions, but it will not be a total shutdown of the water supply.”

Most of the communities identified as being in potential distress due to this leak have, as of now, reported minimal or no interruptions. 

IOS