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Umdloti residents have had enough

Umdloti residents have had enough

Date: 2016-05-13
The Water shedding and lack of service delivery in Umdloti has reached new heights some threatening strikes and even the burning of tyres in public places to get the attention of the local authorities.

Umdloti has been experiencing extreme water cuts since September 2015 and the community has had enough. The water in the village remains switched off for 16 hours out of the 24 causing residents serious discomfort.

The Bugle once again approached Ashan Nandlal, Senior Manager, Water Network (Operations) from Ethekwini Water to comment on the following questions:

When will the new water viaduct being built from the Umgeni system via Cornubia reach theWaterloo Reservoir and will this alleviate the current severe water restrictions in force in Umdloti, particularly Umdloti South?

"The pipeline/trunk main is +90% constructed and is supplied from the Durban Heights Water Works System, which receives its supply from Albert Falls Dam. Due to the drought, which is also affecting Albert Falls Dam (currently 33.01% as of 09/05/2016), drought restrictions have been extended to most areas of Durban as well. This is effective from December 2015. We are therefore not able to enjoy the benefit of this project just yet, as previously anticipated."

What about a new pipeline which is being built from Lower Thukela to Hazelmere Dam, called the Lower Thukela Bulk Water Supply Scheme (LTBWSS), when will this be completed?

"This project is scheduled to be operational by July 2016 (as confirmed by Umgeni Water officials) and will supply parts of ILembe District Municipality including Ballito. It will reduce the demand from Hazelmere Dam, however there are other areas of Verulam, which will then be transferred onto the Hazelmere Dam system to relieve the strain on the Durban Heights supply and Albert Falls Dam."

Will this will help water supply to both Umdloti, and Ballito areas?

Yes, this would help to an extent. The current level of restriction is determined by the Provincial Department of Water & Sanitation (DWS), after careful consideration of the historical data. Once the Lower Thukela Scheme is commissioned, DWS, at their discretion, may then reconsider the level of restrictions depending on the storage level of Hazelmere Dam.

Umdloti has been repeatedly warned that their water demand exceeds the water supply from Hazelmere. That is a fact, not an excuse. It is also a fact that the eThekwini water department failed to plan ahead. The water reduction is now up to 50% for areas fed from Hazelmere.

Recent rainfall, which fell last weekend, was recorded at 126 millimetres at Merebank in Durban South.It is uncertain how this will affect the Hazelmere Dam and the water restrictions in Umdloti.

So there you have it, water rations will continue and we will have to keep on saving as much as we can while we pray for more rain and speedy construction of the pipelines.