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STATEMENT: Repair of Nagle Dam-Durban Heights Water Treatment Plant Aqueduct 3 leak completed

Monday, 11 July 2022

The most crucial part of the work on Aqueduct 3 – repair of a significant leak – has been completed, allowing for commissioning to begin this morning (Monday, 11 July 2022).

Commissioning is the start-up process in which a pipe is prepared to go “live” in order to test its ability to contain its inflow without leaking. On Monday morning, uMngeni-uThukela Water began gradually releasing water from Nagle Dam into the concrete-steel Aqueduct 3. The release will be closely monitored along the route of the pipe to ensure there is no water loss through leaks.

If everything goes according to schedule, the commissioning will be completed by early evening today. That will signify the go-ahead for full volume of water to be released into the pipe.

The underground pipe had to be exposed in order to get to the leak. Work was done from inside the pipe to repair the leak and was completed on Sunday afternoon. A crack in the area where the concrete and steel sections are joined and held together by mechanical seals had caused the leak. The process of drying of the pipe was completed overnight on Sunday before the commissioning  began. The remaining work, including restoring earthworks, will be completed in the days ahead.

Aqueduct 3 is one of four high-pressure pipes that transport large volumes of water from Nagle Dam to the Durban Heights Water Treatment Plant for treatment and supply to eThekwini Metro for distribution in south, north, central and inner west regions of Durban. Two of these aqueducts – 1 and 2 – were damaged in the floods of April 2022 and remain decommissioned.

As more information becomes available on completion of commissioning, this will be shared with stakeholders.

Issued by Corporate Stakeholder Management Unit, Office of the Chief Executive

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STATEMENT: Urgent repairs to Nagle Dam‐Durban Heights WTW Aqueduct 3: From Thursday, 7 July 2022

A leak has occurred in one of the four Nagle Dam‐Durban Heights Water Treatment Works (WTW) raw water pipelines, necessitating urgent repairs to be done in order to prevent a potential hazardous situation. The leak is on Aqueduct 3 in the vicinity of Annet Drive, Reservoir Hills, Durban, which has worsened over the past three months, from a drip to a constant flow that is visible to passers‐by.

Similar to the other three aqueducts, this is a high‐pressure pipe that conveys large volumes of water for treatment at the plant. In the interest of public safety and to prevent further water loss, uMngeni-uThukela Water has taken a decision to shut down Aqueduct 3 from the morning of Thursday, 7 July 2022, so that this essential work can be undertaken. In terms of the work schedule provided by the contractor, it will take six days for the repairs to be completed, which includes a day (Thursday, 7 July 2022) for draining and drying of the inside of the pipe. Repair work will begin on Friday, 8 July 2022. uMngeni-uThukela Water has informed Ethekwini Water and Sanitation of the urgent nature of the work and of its duration.

The work was originally scheduled for Tuesday, 5 July 2022, to Monday, 11 July 2022, but was deferred to a later date because of damage to EThekwini Water and Sanitation’s Southern Aqueduct that was caused by an accident at the weekend.

Aqueduct 3 conveys, on average, 180 million litres (Ml/d) of raw water daily from Nagle Dam to the Durban Heights WTW. During the shutdown, there will be a reduction in the amount of treated (potable) water uMngeni-uThukela Water normally supplies to EThekwini Water and Sanitation. Due to reduced volumes of raw water reaching the plant and reduced volumes of potable water being produced during the period when Aqueduct 3 will be offline, it may not be possible to maintain the on‐site Reservoir 2 at a minimum of four (4) metres.

This level is required for there to be sufficient head pressure to supply Ethekwini Water and Sanitation’s reservoirs in high‐lying areas, particularly in the South of Durban. Therefore, consumers in Umlazi, Chatsworth, Northdene and surrounding areas are likely to experience low pressure or intermittent water supply. uMngeni-uThukela Water wishes to apologise for any inconvenience that may be caused.

At this stage, aqueducts 1 and 2, which were severely damaged in the April 2022 floods, remain decommissioned while awaiting completion of repair work on them. As a consequence, uMngeni-uThukela Water is using three and intermittently the fourth emergency shaft pumps to transfer water from Inanda Dam to the Durban Heights WTW. To mitigate possible risk of failure, the fourth shaft pump is brought into use for five (5) days in a week. In the period in which the shaft pumps are used, the full required volumes of raw water reach the plant for treatment; conversely, a deficit occurs in the remaining two days.

At this stage, replacement of the 180 million litres of raw water that will be temporarily lost from Aqueduct 3 is not possible due to implementation of available contingency measures. uMngeni-uThukela Water provides an assurance that everything possible will be done to try to complete the work on Aqueduct 3 within or even before the allocated timeframe. There are significant benefits to restoring Aqueduct 3 in the shortest possible period. This includes increased volumes of raw water being conveyed through it, thereby further reducing the shortfall in raw water. As this deficit reduces, more drinking water will become available for supply to Durban.

Issued by Corporate Stakeholder Management Unit, Office of the Chief Executive

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STATEMENT: Urgent repairs to Nagle Dam-Durban Heights WTW Aqueduct 3: From Tuesday, 5 July 2022, to Monday, 11 July 2022

Friday, 01 July 2022

A leak has occurred in one of the four Nagle Dam-Durban Heights Water Treatment Works (WTW) raw water pipelines, necessitating urgent repairs to do be done in order to prevent a potential hazardous situation. The leak is on Aqueduct 3 in the vicinity of Annet Drive, Reservoir Hills, Durban, which has worsened over the past three months, from a drip to a constant flow that is visible by passers-by.

Similar to the other three aqueducts, this is a high-pressure pipe that coveys large volumes of water for treatment at the plant. In interest of public safety and to prevent further water loss, uMngeni-uThukela Water has taken a decision to shut down Aqueduct 3 from the morning of Tuesday, 5 July 2022, so that this essential work can be undertaken. In terms of the work schedule provided by the contractor, it will take six days for the repairs to be completed, which includes a day for draining and drying of the inside of the pipe. This means that the pipe will begin receiving water again from Monday, 11 July 2022. uMngeni-uThukela Water has informed Ethekwini Water and Sanitation of the urgent nature of the work and of its duration.

Aqueduct 3 conveys, on average, 180 million litres (Ml/d) of raw water daily from Nagle Dam to the Durban Heights WTW. During the shutdown, there will be a reduction in the amount of treated (potable) water uMngeni-uThukela Water normally supplies to EThekwini Water and Sanitation. Similarly, due to reduced volumes of raw water reaching the plant and potable water being produced during the period when Aqueduct 3 will be offline, it may not be possible to maintain the on-site Reservoir 2 at a minimum of four (4) metres.
This level is required for there to be sufficient head pressure to supply Ethekwini Water and Sanitation’s reservoirs in high-lying areas, particularly in the South of Durban. Therefore, consumers in Umlazi, Chatsworth, Northdene and surrounding areas are likely to experience low pressure or intermittent water supply.

uMngeni-uThukela Water wishes to apologise for any inconvenience that may be caused.
At this stage, aqueducts 1 and 2, which were severely damaged in the April 2022 floods, remain decommissioned while awaiting completion of repair work on them. As a consequence, uMngeni-uThukela Water is using three and intermittently the fourth emergency shaft pumps to transfer water from Inanda Dam to the Durban Heights WTW, as an augmentation measure. To mitigate possible risk of failure, the fourth shaft pump is brought into use for five (5) days in a week, thus allowing it rest period of two (2) days. In the period in which the shaft pumps are used, the full required volumes of raw water reaches the plant for treatment; conversely, a deficit occurs in the remaining two days.

At this stage, replacement of the 180 million litres of raw water that will be temporarily lost from Aqueduct 3 is not possible due to implementation of available contingency measures. uMngeni-uThukela Water provides an assurance that everything possible will be done to try to complete the work on Aqueduct 3 within or even before the allocated timeframe.

There are significant benefits to restoring Aqueduct 3 in the shortest possible period. This includes increased volumes of raw water being conveyed through it, thereby further reducing the shortfall in raw water. As this deficit reduces, more drinking water will become available for supply to Durban.

Corporate Stakeholder Management Unit, Office of the Chief Executive

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Thursday, 12 May 2022

Two new leaks have been detected on the bulk pipeline that conveys drinking water from the Lower Thukela Bulk Water Supply Scheme in Mandini to KwaDukuza. This has necessitated shut down of the pipeline for uMngeni-uThukela Water asset management staff to conduct emergency repairs.

Repair crew will move to the sites of the two leaks at 18h00 today and work through the night to complete the work. Approximately 12h hours have been allocated for the work. Recovery time of the entire system – bulk and reticulation – is expected to take longer for restoration of full supply to consumers.

During the shutdown of the pipeline, uMngeni-uThukela Water will not be able to supply potable water to the reservoirs of iLembe District Municipality. This means that consumers in the following areas are likely to be affected by intermittent water supply or low pressure when they open their taps:

Sakhamkhanya, San Souci, Skhekembula, Ohlanga, Mdlebeni, Lindelani, Shakaville, Zamani, Darnall, Zinkwazi, Blythedale, Stanger Manor, Warrenton, Doesburg, KwaDukuza Central Business District, Glenhills, Nyoniyamanzi, Lot 16, Gledhow North, Ntshwini, Groutville, Mission, Thembeni, Dube Village, Malende, Hangoes and Zilungisele.

An appeal is being made to consumers not to collect more water than is required for use during the temporary shutdown. Unnecessary storage of water and particularly in large volumes will result in reservoirs rapidly depleting and many consumers being unable to receive water through their taps.

The municipality will be deploying water tankers to the affected areas. The routes and schedule of these tankers will be provided to Ward Councillors. As additional support measure, staff of iLembe District Municipality will update residents with progress on the repair project through loud hailing.

uMngeni-uThukela Water provides an assurance that every effort will be made to try to complete the work in the allocated period. uMngeni-uThukela Water and iLembe District Municipality wish to thank consumers for their understanding and patience and apologise for any inconvenience that may be caused.

Joint Statement by iLembe District Municipality and uMngeni-uThukela Water

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Saturday, 7 May 2022

A message is currently circulating on Whatsapp, alleging that the water system in Mosely, Northdene and Nirvana Hills is “still struggling and this will continue until uMngeni-uThukela Water is able to supply the City with enough water to supply the City with the required amount of water it needs”. The words in quotes are as they appear in the Whatsapp message.

The text message ends with Cllr Chris van den Berg, suggesting that this message was purportedly issued by the Councillor named in it.

uMngeni-uThukela Water wishes to put the record straight on the above matter in order to remove any misunderstanding that may exist.

The reservoir that supplies Mosely (Queensburg), Northdene and Nirvana Hills (Northdene) is operated by eThekwini Water and Sanitation, the entity of eThekwini Metro that is responsible for providing water to consumers within the eThekwini region. The reticulation reservoir receives potable water from Reservoir 2 at the Durban Heights Water Treatment Plant. The Durban Heights plant is operated and managed by uMngeni-uThukela Water.

In response to the Whatsapp message in question, uMngeni-uThukela Water conducted an investigation.

This is what emerged from the investigation: production of potable water at the Durban Heights plant is constant and has been in this consistent state despite severe flood damage to two of the four aqueducts that supply raw water to the Durban Heights plant. While the Durban Heights plant is contracted to supply 200 megalitres (200 million litres) per day into the southern aqueduct, there has not been any restrictions in supply to eThekwini Metro’s reservoir that distributes potable water to the areas mentioned in the Whatsapp message since the occurrence of the recent floods. This means that uMngeni-uThukela Water is meeting in full its contractual obligations in respect of water supply to the central and inner west areas.

Issued by the Corporate Stakeholder Management Unit Office of the Chief Executive, uMngeni-uThukela Water

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Thursday, 28 April 2022

The supply chain management process for a service provider to go on site to conduct a comprehensive assessment of aqueducts 1 and 2, which were damaged during the floods of 8-12 April 2022, has been completed. The assessment is expected to be done over three days, after which detailed costings will be provided to uMngeni-uThukela Water and then followed by the issue of a letter of appointment for work to begin.

The service provider’s assessment report will indicate the extent of damage to these pipes, the cost of restoration to full use and the projected duration of work that will have to be done. Soon after the torrential rains, staff of uMngeni-uThukela Water conducted a preliminary assessment from a chartered helicopter and by foot as they walked the lines to inspect the state of the pipes.

Aqueduct 1 and Aqueduct 2, together with Aqueduct 3 and Aqueduct 4, convey raw water from Nagle Dam to the Durban Heights Water Works in Reservoir Hills, Durban, for treatment and supply as potable (drinking) water to eThekwini Water and Sanitation, the entity of eThekwini Metro that is responsible for provision of water to consumers.

In the heavy rains that accompanied the storms of 8-12 April 2022, a rock fall occurred in Wushini, Inanda, resulting in the pipes breaking and dislodging during the downpours. They have since been temporarily decommissioned. This resulted in a situation in which a deficit of raw water supply to the Durban Heights Water Works has occurred.

In other developments, on Monday, 25 April 2022, members of the Board of uMngeni-uThukela Water visited Wushini, Inanda, where they engaged with the local leadership and communities. Communities in some parts of Inanda, including Wushini, were badly affected by the rains and subsequent damage.

The engagement with some members of Inanda communities and the local leadership took place at the Wushini Arts Centre. There was a formal programme and the Chairperson of the Board of uMngeni-uThukela Water, Ms Gabsie Mathenjwa, addressed the local communities and the leadership. As solidarity with affected members of local communities who lost all their possessions in the floods, grocery parcels were given to them.

Various initiatives are under consideration or being undertaken by uMngeni-uThukela Water to assist the local communities rebuild their lives. In the KwaNgcolosi area, uMngeni-uThukela Water is providing psychological support to affected families to try to manage the trauma caused by loss of loved ones,

 

possessions and property. In conjunction with the police, assistance will also be available in the continuing search for missing persons.

Below is a synopsis of progress to date on water services provision following the devastating floods.

Durban Heights Water Works

 

1. Pre-storm of 8-12 April 2022

1.1The contracted amount of potable water uMngeni-uThukela Water has to supply to eThekwini Water and Sanitation from the Durban Heights WW is: 540 megalitres per day (million litres per day);

1.2. When the full impact of floods was felt on 13 April 2022, supply to eThekwini Water and Sanitation fell to 380 megalitres per day;

1.3 At that time, this had created an average potable water deficit of 160 megalitres per day. This deficit has since begun reducing;

1.4 Durban Heights WW supplies north, south, central and inner west regions of Durban through the reticulation infrastructure of eThekwini Water and Sanitation;

1.5 By Sunday, 24 April 2022, transfer of more water through aqueducts 3 and 4 and pumping from Inanda Dam using two shaft pumps increased raw water supply and potable water outflow to eThekwini Water and Sanitation, on average, to 430 megalitres;

1.6 On Monday, 25 April 2022, the third shaft pump was brought into use following successful commissioning. On average, the total amount of raw water that is currently being supplied to the plant is 510 megalitres. The three shaft pumps are collectively contributing 150 megalitres per day to the 510 megalitres daily raw water inflow;

1.7 The amount of potable that is currently being supplied daily to eThewini Water and Sanitation amounts to, on average, 490 megalitres, which is 50 megalitre less than the contracted amount;

1.8 The objective is to gradually increase inflow to 560 megalitres so that, on average, 540 megalitres of potable water are produced. At this stage, the options available are increased volumes through Aqueduct 3 and Aqueduct 4 (from Nagle Dam) and supported by additional pumping from Inanda Dam (three shaft pumps). This has to be approached with caution due to risk of stress, and

1.9 It must be noted that in the storms, reticulation infrastructure of eThekwini Metro was also damaged

 

2. Quick positive outcomes through implementation of remedial actions

2.1 Three (3) of the four (4) shaft pumps that supply water from Inanda Dam to Durban Heights WW as an emergency have been brought into use;

2.2 uMngeni-uThukela Water is assisting its customer (eThekwini Metro) with funding for water tankers. In-house engineers and scientist are available to assist in assessment and restoration work within the reticulation networks. Filling points for water tankers have also been made available, and

2.4 Potable water production at and supply from the Wiggins WW in Durban, which is connected the Durban Heights system, has not been affected and remains normal.

 

3. Hazelmere Water Treatment Works

Pre-storm damage

3.1 This plant was supplying, on average, 75 megalitres per day

The aftermath of storm damage

3.2 Initially and specifically the previous week, after the torrential rains, high levels of turbidity impacted on treatment of water. Water is drawn from Hazelmere Dam;

3.3 At the height of the crisis, the plant was producing 20 megalitres-25 megalitres and sometimes peaking at 30 megalitres, and

3.4 At one stage, turbidity reached such high levels that production of potable water had to be stopped for at least 48 hours. If production continued under these conditions, there was risk of non-compliance with SANS 24: 2015 requirements for drinking water quality.

4. Recovery and restoration

4.1 Production of potable water has since increased at the Hazelmere WTP and progress has been made towards achieving volumes of 70-75 megalitres per day;

4.2 At this stage, the plant is producing, on average, 90% of daily demand from iLembe DM, Siza Water and eThekwini Metro;

4.3 This plant supplies five (5) systems and the bulk storage reservoirs are between 49% and 100%. The supply areas are Verulam, Waterloo, Sea Tides, La Mercy, Ballito, Ndwedwe and Groutville.

4.5 This is a marked improvement from production a week ago.

 

Issued by the Corporate Stakeholder Management Unit Office of the Chief Executive, uMngeni-uThukela Water

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STATEMENT: Water Supplied by uMngeni-uThukela Water is Safe to Drink

Wednesday, 27 April 2022

 

In the past few days, some members of the public expressed concern in the media about drinking water (potable water) quality following flood damage to bulk and reticulation infrastructure in the eThekwini region. uMngeni-uThukela Water operates and manages raw water abstraction and bulk potable water supply infrastructure in the eThekwini region and many other parts of KwaZulu-Natal.

The eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, through eThekwini Water and Sanitation, supplies water to consumers in the region.

uMngeni-uThukela Water provides an assurance that the potable water it supplies to its seven municipal  customers, including eThekwini Metro, conforms to drinking water quality standards as stipulated in South African National Standards (SANS) 241: 2015 for drinking water quality. Therefore, the drinking water that is supplied to these customers is safe to drink, and it contributes to securing public health.

uMngeni-uThukela Water uses advanced water treatment technologies and chemicals to treat raw water abstracted from rivers and dams to ensure that safe drinking water is produced. Chlorine and chlorine-based compounds are used as disinfectants to efficiently and effectively destroy microorganisms during the water treatment process.

uMngeni-uThukela Water supplies drinking water in bulk to eThekwini Metro, Msunduzi Local Municipality, uMgungundlovu District Municipality, iLembe District Municipality, Ugu District Municipality, Harry Gwala District Municipality and King Cetshwayo District Municipality. This water is treated at some of uMngeni-uThukela Water’s plants that use sophisticated technology and the treatment process is rigorous in ensuring only water that is safe for public consumption is distributed.

In addition to daily monitoring of drinking water, supplementary monitoring is undertaken, using a precautionary approach, to evaluate any areas where possible additional risk is posed.

Issued by the Corporate Stakeholder Management Unit, Office of the Chief Executive uMngeni-uThukela Water.

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