EThekwini Municipality postpones 24-hour water shutdown

Source: The South African
Author: Nokwanda Ncwane

EThekwini Municipality postpones water shutdown. Image: Rajesh JANTILAL / AFP.

The eThekwini Municipality has postponed the 24-hour planned water shutdown of the Northern Aqueduct Pipeline that was scheduled to commence on Tuesday, 20 February.

It was previously announced that the shutdown will start at 17:00 on Tuesday, 20 February, and be completed by 17:00 on Wednesday, 21 February.

The municipality said the postponement follows extensive assessments were conducted by the City's Water and Sanitation technical teams.

"The new date for the planned shutdown will be communicated. We urge the community to continue using water sparingly. The municipality apologises for the inconvenience caused," the eThekwini Municipality said.

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As previously reported by The South African, the eThekwini Municipality said the shutdown of the pipeline that carries water from Durban Heights Treatment Works to the north areas will interrupt the water supply while work is being undertaken.

"A larger part of the work has been completed. This includes repairing leaks and replacing air valves in other pipeline sections. However, the outstanding valves require modification to fit into the network, which also requires a shutdown," the municipality added.

In addition, water tankers would have been deployed to affected areas.