ETHEKWINI NEWSFLASH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COMMISSIONING OF SOUTHERN AQUEDUCT WORK PACKAGE 1 MARKS MAJOR MILESTONE IN STRENGTHENING WATER SUPPLY
EThekwini Municipality is pleased to announce the successful commissioning of Work Package 1 of the Southern Aqueduct project.
This marks a significant milestone in the City’s ongoing efforts to strengthen bulk water infrastructure and improve water security for communities in the south and central areas of the City.
The newly commissioned section consists of approximately four kilometres of new steel pipeline from Shallcross to Westcliff, replacing the old and abandoned pre-stressed pipeline.
The upgraded pipeline now connects the Westcliff Reservoir and Chatsworth Reservoir No. 1, forming a critical part of the broader Southern Aqueduct system upgrade.
The commissioning of Work Package 1 has resulted in the system having a greater capacity to serve residents supplied by the Westcliff Reservoir, Chatsworth Reservoir No.1 and the downstream reservoirs in uMlazi.
Executive Director for Technical Services Ednick Msweli said the commissioning of Work Package 1 is an important step towards securing sustainable water supply infrastructure for the City.
“The successful commissioning of this section of the Southern Aqueduct demonstrates the Municipality’s commitment to investing in infrastructure that improves the reliability and resilience of our bulk water supply network. While this phase delivers an immediate improvement to system performance, the completion of the remaining sections later this year will significantly enhance the aqueduct’s overall capacity to meet both current and future water demands for communities across the south and central areas,” said Msweli.
Work Package 3 also remains on track for commissioning at the end of May.
Construction on the remaining work packages is progressing well and is expected to be completed later this year.
This includes six-kilometre section from Westville to Shallcross and an additional six kilometres from Durban Heights Water Treatment Works to Westville.
The Southern Aqueduct supplies water to approximately 1.2 million people via 33 reservoirs and is one of the City’s most critical bulk water infrastructure projects aimed at improving bulk water network, reducing water losses, and enhancing service delivery resilience.
The existing bulk pipeline network is more than 50 years old and had deteriorated significantly over time, becoming increasingly prone to leaks and failures.
While work has been underway, the Municipality has achieved measurable savings in water losses during construction.
Teams identified and repaired leaks on the existing pipeline network.
The R1.2 billion Southern Aqueduct project will bring the City closer to achieving a reliable bulk water network.
Once completed, the upgraded 24-kilometre bulk pipeline will significantly improve water provision to communities in the southern and central areas
Ends
Issued by eThekwini Municipality’s Marketing and Communications Directorate
