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 system	Areas affected
Phoenix 1	Mount Edgecombe Hospital, Mount Edgecombe Estate, Broadlands, Southgate, Stonebridge, Clayfield, Campbells Town and Greenbury
Phoenix 2	Sunford, Hannaford, Phoenix Highway, Longcroft, Longbury, Plaza, Southbury, Eastbury, Grove End, Sastri Park, Caneside, Canehaven and Woodview
Phoenix 3	Redfern, Phoenix Industrial Park, Fernham, Whetstone and Bridge City
Phoenix 4	Westham, Trenance Manor, Gandhi Settlement, Lenham, Ferham, Brookdale, Whetstone, Bhambayi, Amaoti and Sunford
Phoenix 5	Woodview, Cornubia, Ottawa, Palmview and Trenance Park
Phoenix 6	Mount Mariah and Corobrik
Montview	Mountview, Brindhaven, Southridge, Glenhaven, Parkgate and Riet River
Trenance 1 Reservoir	Dawncrest, Oaklands, Surya Heights, Sanna Township, Riet River, Mountview, Parkgate and Trenance Old Phase
Trenance 3	Amaoti, Trenance Park (new and old phases), Redcliffe, Buffelsdraai and Groenburg Estate
Aloes	Avoca Hills, Corovoca, Khabazela, Duffs Road and Quarry Heights
Newlands 1	Castlehill, B5, Westridge, Riverdene, Newlands West, Earlsfield and Briardale
Newlands 2	Hillgrove, Briardale, Newlands East and Fossa
Newlands 3	Newlands East, V.N. Naik School, Riverhorse Valley and eThekwini Hospital
Newlands 4	Riverdene, Westridge and Newlands West
Umhlanga North	Umhlanga CBD
Umhlanga South	Umhlanga CBD and La Lucia
Umhlanga 2 Reservoir	Umhlanga, Umhlanga Ridge, Prestondale, Ilala Ridge, Hawaan Forest, Umhlanga Manors, Westridge and Blackburn Village
Durban North Reservoir (HL and LL)	Redhill, Durban North, Beachway, Athlone, Japanese Garden and Riverside
Virginia Reservoir and Tower	Glen Anil, Glenhills and Umhlanga
Sunningdale Reservoir and Towers	Sunningdale, La Lucia, La Lucia Mall, Glenshley, Glen Anil, Somerset and Umhlanga
Ambleside Reservoir	La Lucia, La Lucia Mall and Glenashley
Effingham Reservoir	Avoca, Effingham, Glenhills, Glen Anil, North Coast Road, Redhill and Greenwood Park
Tafuleni Reservoir and Tower	Amaoti and Ngoqokazi
KwaMashu 1 Reservoir	KwaMashu sections K, J, L, M, N, F, G, H and B5
KwaMashu 2 Reservoir	KwaMashu sections A, B, C, D, E, F and G, and Siyanda
KwaMashu 3 Reservoir	Ntuzuma F, KwaMashu L and KwaMashu N
Ntuzuma 3	Ntuzuma F, G and H, part of M section in KwaMashu, Inanda A, B and C, Bester and Mshayazafe
Ntuzuma 4 Reservoir	Ntuzuma E and F, Soweto, Inanda Newtown A and Lindelani A
Ntuzuma 7	Ntuzuma A, B, C, D and F, Richmond Farm and Lindelani
Amaotana	Matikwe, Mzinyathi, Silwane, Mgangeni, Senzokuhle and Amatata

Central areas

Supply system	Areas affected
Northdene 1 and 2	Farningham Ridge, Hillary, Malvern, Mount Vernon, Queensburgh, Queensmead Industrial and Shallcross
Firwood Reservoir	Farningham Ridge, Malvern, Moseley Park, Mount Vernon, Nirvana Hills, Northdene and Queensburgh
Ridley Park Reservoir	Coedmore, Farningham Ridge, Hillary, Malvern, Memorial Park, Mount Vernon, Queensburgh, Umbilo, Umhlathuzana and Umkhumbaan
Chatsworth 4 Reservoir	Arena Park, Bulbul, Chatsworth Town Centre, Crossmoor, Enhlanzeni, Ezinyathini, Klaarwater, Kwamgaga, Montford, Moorton, Phumphele, Risecliff, Shallcross, Silverglen, Welbedagt East and West, Westcliff as well as Woodhurst
Shallcross Reservoir	Buffels Bosch, Burlington Heights, Moseley Park, Queensburgh, Savannah Park and Shallcross
Harinager	Shallcross
Klaarwater	Crossmoor, Klaarwater, Moorton, Moseley Park, Phumphele, Savannah Park, Shallcross as well as St Wendolins Ridge
Chatsworth 1 Reservoir	Bayview, Bulbul, Croftdene, Havenside, Kharwastan, Phumphele, Silverglen, Umhlathuzana, Westcliff as well as Woodhurst
Chatsworth 2 Reservoir	Arena Park, Bayview, Chatsworth Town Centre, Havenside, Kharwastan, Malvern, Phumphele, Silverglen, Umhlathuzana, Westcliff as well as Woodhurst
Chatsworth 3 Reservoir	Arena Park, Chatsworth Town Centre, Croftdene, Montford, Risecliff, Silverglen, Welbedagt West as well as Westcliff
Westcliff	Bayview, Coedmore, Havenside, Phumphele, Umhlathuzana, Woodhurst, Woodlands as well as Yellowwood Park

Southern areas

Supply system	Areas affected
Umlazi 1/1A Reservoir	Umlazi sections A, B, C, D, E, F, V, S and T
Umlazi 2 Reservoir	Umlazi sections M, L, J, K, H, R, Q, P, BB, CC, AA, F, G, W, C, D and N
Umlazi 3 Reservoir	Umlazi sections J, K and L
Umlazi 4 Reservoir	Umlazi sections X (Malukazi), Y and Z
Umlazi 5 Reservoir	Umlazi sections AA, BB as well as Z
Umlazi 6 Reservoir	Umlazi sections BB, CC and AA
Ensimbini 1 and 2	Ensimbini, Ntabankulu, Draaihoek, Mahlabathini, Mangamazini and Mkhazini
Folweni 1 and 2 Reservoir	Folweni A, B and C, Golokodo, Dodoza as well as Isiphingo Esincane

Pinetown South system

Supply system	Areas affected
N-Pump Station	Klaarwater, Phumphele, St Wendolins, part of Nsizwaqkazi, Savannah Park phases 1 and 2, and Wiltshire Factories
Washington Heights (Reservoir P)	Klaarwater, Nsizwaqkazi, Regency Park, Latana, Hlanganisa, Gwala Road, Nsizwaqkazi and Sarjoo Road
Intake 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 Road
Pinetown Pumps (Reservoir 1)	Pinetown, Sarnia, Westmead, Nazareth, Moseley Park, Cowies Hill, KwaDabeka, Clermont, Berkshire Downs and New Germany Industrial