Parts of Durban to face 10-hour water shutdown this week
· The South African
Residents and businesses across several Durban South Coast communities are being urged to prepare for water supply interruptions as essential maintenance work is carried out on a key bulk water pipeline.
eThekwini Municipality has announced that its bulk water supplier, uMngeni-uThukela Water, will temporarily shut down the South Coast Pipeline to undertake critical repair work, affecting dozens of areas supplied by the Amanzimtoti Waterworks Reservoir 4 system.
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The water shutdown is scheduled to take place from 08:00 to 18:00, with water supply restoration expected to take significantly longer as reservoirs and pipelines are gradually refilled.
Essential repairs to major Durban water pipeline
According to the municipality, the South Coast Pipeline will be isolated to allow uMngeni-uThukela Water to complete necessary repairs aimed at maintaining the reliability of the bulk water network.
To reduce the impact on consumers, reservoirs will be filled ahead of the shutdown, with additional water being stored overnight before the maintenance begins.
However, despite these preparations, some consumers may still experience low water pressure or temporary supply interruptions during the day, particularly in higher-lying areas.
Recovery could take up to two days
While the repair work is expected to be completed by 18:00 on Tuesday evening, residents should not expect an immediate return to normal water supply.
The municipality said that once repairs have been completed, the process of restoring the system will begin. This includes refilling pipelines and reservoirs, balancing pressure across the network and ensuring water reaches all affected communities.
As a result, full recovery of water supply could take up to two days after the shutdown ends.
This means some residents may continue experiencing intermittent supply issues or reduced pressure well beyond Tuesday evening.
Areas expected to be affected
The planned interruption will affect residents and businesses supplied by the South Coast Pipeline, including the following areas:
- Almond
- Winklespruit
- Warner Beach
- Illovo Glen
- Lower Illovo
- Illovo Beach
- Karridene
- Panorama Park
- Umgababa
- Umnini
- Area Africa
- Mfume
- KwaSoni
- Mashiwase
- Nkwali
- Lovu Phase 1
- Lovu Phase 3
- Lovu Landfill
- Inkwali
- Ilfracombe
- Magabheni
- Ehlanzeni
- Thoyane
- Umkomaas
- Craigieburn
- Amahlongwa
- Amalundi
- Crowder Farm
- Clansthal
- V-Section
- Malundi
- Saiccor Village
- Naidooville
The municipality noted that businesses operating in the affected areas should also make contingency plans where possible.
With recovery expected to continue for up to 48 hours after the work is completed, residents are being encouraged to store enough water for essential household needs ahead of the shutdown.
The municipality has also urged consumers to use available water sparingly both before and after the interruption to help stabilise the system and speed up recovery efforts.
Water-saving measures such as limiting non-essential use, avoiding garden irrigation and delaying high-consumption activities may help reduce pressure on the network during the restoration period.
eThekwini Municipality acknowledged that the interruption may cause inconvenience for affected communities but said the maintenance work is necessary to ensure the long-term reliability of water infrastructure serving the South Coast region.