Water supply warning for parts of Durban as algae affects treatment works

Parts of Durban have been warned of water supply interruptions after increased algae growth affected operations at a major water treatment works, resulting in a reduction in the volume of treated water supplied to the city.

uMngeni-uThukela Water has confirmed that the Durban Heights Water Treatment Works is currently treating reduced volumes of water after elevated algae levels caused treatment filters to become clogged.

The problem has affected water supplies to several areas in the northern and southern parts of the eThekwini Municipality.

Algae growth affects CITY’S water treatment

The bulk water supplier said there had been a significant increase in algae in water received from the Albert Falls and Nagle Dam system over the past two weeks.

Increased temperatures and pollution in raw water sources upstream of the dams have contributed to the growth.

As a result, the treatment works has been unable to process its usual volumes of raw water, reducing its capacity to meet normal supply requirements.

water supply reduced by 40 million litres

uMngeni-uThukela Water is implementing several interventions to address the problem, including optimising treatment processes and applying advanced chemical treatment methods to remove excess algae.

Several filters will also be temporarily taken offline this weekend for chemical treatment to remove accumulated algae and restore their efficiency.

In the meantime, the bulk water supplier will reduce its water supply to eThekwini by 40 megalitres, equivalent to 40 million litres, until the situation improves.

The organisation said it was continuously monitoring water quality and quantities to ensure that the treated water continues to meet the required drinking water quality standards.

Residents have been urged to use water sparingly until normal treatment and supply volumes are restored.

Areas in Durban that could experience water interruptions

The following areas have been identified as potentially affected by the reduced bulk water supply:

Northern areas

Supply systemAreas affectedPhoenix 1Mount Edgecombe Hospital, Mount Edgecombe Estate, Broadlands, Southgate, Stonebridge, Clayfield, Campbells Town and GreenburyPhoenix 2Sunford, Hannaford, Phoenix Highway, Longcroft, Longbury, Plaza, Southbury, Eastbury, Grove End, Sastri Park, Caneside, Canehaven and WoodviewPhoenix 3Redfern, Phoenix Industrial Park, Fernham, Whetstone and Bridge CityPhoenix 4Westham, Trenance Manor, Gandhi Settlement, Lenham, Ferham, Brookdale, Whetstone, Bhambayi, Amaoti and SunfordPhoenix 5Woodview, Cornubia, Ottawa, Palmview and Trenance ParkPhoenix 6Mount Mariah and CorobrikMontviewMountview, Brindhaven, Southridge, Glenhaven, Parkgate and Riet RiverTrenance 1 ReservoirDawncrest, Oaklands, Surya Heights, Sanna Township, Riet River, Mountview, Parkgate and Trenance Old PhaseTrenance 3Amaoti, Trenance Park (new and old phases), Redcliffe, Buffelsdraai and Groenburg EstateAloesAvoca Hills, Corovoca, Khabazela, Duffs Road and Quarry HeightsNewlands 1Castlehill, B5, Westridge, Riverdene, Newlands West, Earlsfield and BriardaleNewlands 2Hillgrove, Briardale, Newlands East and FossaNewlands 3Newlands East, V.N. Naik School, Riverhorse Valley and eThekwini HospitalNewlands 4Riverdene, Westridge and Newlands WestUmhlanga NorthUmhlanga CBDUmhlanga SouthUmhlanga CBD and La LuciaUmhlanga 2 ReservoirUmhlanga, Umhlanga Ridge, Prestondale, Ilala Ridge, Hawaan Forest, Umhlanga Manors, Westridge and Blackburn VillageDurban North Reservoir (HL and LL)Redhill, Durban North, Beachway, Athlone, Japanese Garden and RiversideVirginia Reservoir and TowerGlen Anil, Glenhills and UmhlangaSunningdale Reservoir and TowersSunningdale, La Lucia, La Lucia Mall, Glenshley, Glen Anil, Somerset and UmhlangaAmbleside ReservoirLa Lucia, La Lucia Mall and GlenashleyEffingham ReservoirAvoca, Effingham, Glenhills, Glen Anil, North Coast Road, Redhill and Greenwood ParkTafuleni Reservoir and TowerAmaoti and NgoqokaziKwaMashu 1 ReservoirKwaMashu sections K, J, L, M, N, F, G, H and B5KwaMashu 2 ReservoirKwaMashu sections A, B, C, D, E, F and G, and SiyandaKwaMashu 3 ReservoirNtuzuma F, KwaMashu L and KwaMashu NNtuzuma 3Ntuzuma F, G and H, part of M section in KwaMashu, Inanda A, B and C, Bester and MshayazafeNtuzuma 4 ReservoirNtuzuma E and F, Soweto, Inanda Newtown A and Lindelani ANtuzuma 7Ntuzuma A, B, C, D and F, Richmond Farm and LindelaniAmaotanaMatikwe, Mzinyathi, Silwane, Mgangeni, Senzokuhle and Amatata

Central areas

Supply systemAreas affectedNorthdene 1 and 2Farningham Ridge, Hillary, Malvern, Mount Vernon, Queensburgh, Queensmead Industrial and ShallcrossFirwood ReservoirFarningham Ridge, Malvern, Moseley Park, Mount Vernon, Nirvana Hills, Northdene and QueensburghRidley Park ReservoirCoedmore, Farningham Ridge, Hillary, Malvern, Memorial Park, Mount Vernon, Queensburgh, Umbilo, Umhlathuzana and UmkhumbaanChatsworth 4 ReservoirArena Park, Bulbul, Chatsworth Town Centre, Crossmoor, Enhlanzeni, Ezinyathini, Klaarwater, Kwamgaga, Montford, Moorton, Phumphele, Risecliff, Shallcross, Silverglen, Welbedagt East and West, Westcliff as well as WoodhurstShallcross ReservoirBuffels Bosch, Burlington Heights, Moseley Park, Queensburgh, Savannah Park and ShallcrossHarinagerShallcrossKlaarwaterCrossmoor, Klaarwater, Moorton, Moseley Park, Phumphele, Savannah Park, Shallcross as well as St Wendolins RidgeChatsworth 1 ReservoirBayview, Bulbul, Croftdene, Havenside, Kharwastan, Phumphele, Silverglen, Umhlathuzana, Westcliff as well as WoodhurstChatsworth 2 ReservoirArena Park, Bayview, Chatsworth Town Centre, Havenside, Kharwastan, Malvern, Phumphele, Silverglen, Umhlathuzana, Westcliff as well as WoodhurstChatsworth 3 ReservoirArena Park, Chatsworth Town Centre, Croftdene, Montford, Risecliff, Silverglen, Welbedagt West as well as WestcliffWestcliffBayview, Coedmore, Havenside, Phumphele, Umhlathuzana, Woodhurst, Woodlands as well as Yellowwood Park

Southern areas

Supply systemAreas affectedUmlazi 1/1A ReservoirUmlazi sections A, B, C, D, E, F, V, S and TUmlazi 2 ReservoirUmlazi sections M, L, J, K, H, R, Q, P, BB, CC, AA, F, G, W, C, D and NUmlazi 3 ReservoirUmlazi sections J, K and LUmlazi 4 ReservoirUmlazi sections X (Malukazi), Y and ZUmlazi 5 ReservoirUmlazi sections AA, BB as well as ZUmlazi 6 ReservoirUmlazi sections BB, CC and AAEnsimbini 1 and 2Ensimbini, Ntabankulu, Draaihoek, Mahlabathini, Mangamazini and MkhaziniFolweni 1 and 2 ReservoirFolweni A, B and C, Golokodo, Dodoza as well as Isiphingo Esincane

Pinetown South system

Supply systemAreas affectedN-Pump StationKlaarwater, Phumphele, St Wendolins, part of Nsizwaqkazi, Savannah Park phases 1 and 2, and Wiltshire FactoriesWashington Heights (Reservoir P)Klaarwater, Nsizwaqkazi, Regency Park, Latana, Hlanganisa, Gwala Road, Nsizwaqkazi and Sarjoo RoadIntake Reservoir (Reservoir Q)Demat, Progress Road, Mawelewele, Intake Road, Luganda, part of Nagina Township, Khoseleni, Sthundu Hills, Dambuza, parts of Bell Tower Road and Grasmere Road, and Mpongo RoadPinetown Pumps (Reservoir 1)Pinetown, Sarnia, Westmead, Nazareth, Moseley Park, Cowies Hill, KwaDabeka, Clermont, Berkshire Downs and New Germany Industrial