ETHEKWINI NEWSFLASH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
07 AUGUST 2026
REPAIRS COMPLETED ON WIGGINS HIGH PRESSURE MAIN, RESERVOIR FILLING UNDERWAY
Repairs on the 750mm diameter steel Wiggins High Pressure Supply Main have been successfully completed, and the process of refilling the affected reservoirs is now underway.
Dedicated teams from Water Operations worked around the clock to locate and repair the various leaks identified on the central aqueduct. The operation required specialised equipment, including 30-tonne excavators and a tractor loader backhoe (TLB), to safely expose the buried pipeline before specialist welding teams could carry out the repairs.
Working in confined excavations on a high pressure main of this size demands strict safety controls, and teams pressed on through the night to return water to residents as quickly as it could be done safely.
Water flow to the affected reservoirs has been restored, the distribution network will begin recovering gradually. Because reservoir storage levels were significantly depleted during the shutdown, the affected reservoirs require time to refill before normal supply is fully restored to all areas.
Reservoir levels and water demand will be monitored closely throughout the recovery period.
Areas served by the affected reservoirs are:
Woodlands 1 and 2 Reservoirs: Austerville, Clairwood, Mobeni, Montclair, Sea View, Wentworth, Woodlands and Yellowwood Park.
Bluff 1, 2, 3 and Bluff South Reservoirs: Austerville, Bayhead, Brighton Beach, Cave Rock, Fynnlands, Grosvenor, Jacobs, Merewent, Ocean View, Stanvac, Treasure Beach and Wentworth.
Lamont Reservoir: Havenside, Joe Slovo, Lamont, Mobeni and Mobeni Heights.
South Ridge Reservoir: Bulwer, Glenwood and Westridge.
Cato Manor Reservoir: Carrington Heights, Glenmore, Glenwood, Sea View, Umbilo, University, Westridge and Wiggins.
Ridge View Reservoir: Bellair, Blackhurst, Cato Manor, Coedmore, Hillary, Mount Vernon, Part Bellair, Ridge View, Sea View, Umkhumbaan, University and Wiggins.
The Municipality thanks residents for their patience and apologises for the inconvenience caused by the interruption. eThekwini Municipality remains committed to responding swiftly whenever water supply is disrupted, and to keeping communities informed for the duration of every incident.
For updates on water supply, members of the public are encouraged to download the eThekwini Municipality mobile app to log faults, send a WhatsApp message to 073 148 3477, call the toll-free number 080 311 1111, or email Eservices@durban.gov.za.
ENDS
Issued by eThekwini Municipality's Marketing and Communications Directorate
