An overflow of water at the Hazelmere dam. The Hazelmere Dam. File picture: Doctor Ngcobo/African News Agency(ANA)
Durban – Certain areas in north Durban are set to experience low water pressure or no supply, owing to maintenance work that will be conducted at the Hazelmere Water Treatment plant this weekend, Umgeni Water announced on Thursday.
Umgeni Water’s spokesperson Shami Harichunder said owing to the maintenance and repairs needed at the plant, a 12-hour shutdown will be effected from Friday, October 21 until Saturday, October 22.
“The work will involve removal of malfunctioning raw water meters and raw water isolation valves that are on the raw water inlet pipeline and replacing them with new raw water meters and isolation valves. In preparation for removal and replacement of these parts, the pipe will first have to be isolated and scoured,” the spokesperson said.
He added that 12 hours have been allocated for the entire operation and expressed optimism that the work will be concluded within the allocated time frame.
Harichunder pointed out that the shutdown was essential for the work to be undertaken.
“This means that no raw water will be transferred to the plant for treatment and no potable water will be produced for supply to eThekwini Metro, iLembe District Municipality and Siza Water,” the spokesperson said, adding that the reservoirs that receive water from the plant will be topped up in the hours preceding start of work.
According to Harichunder, the areas that are likely to experience water supply challenges include La Mercy, Ballito, uMhlali, Waterloo, Verulam and Ndwedwe.
THE MERCURY