Residents face water supply delays after Wiggins Treatment Works repairs

Repairs at Wiggins Water Treatment Works have been completed, and water supply could resume once the reservoirs are full, but the eThekwini Municipality warned that it could take days. 

The uMngeni-uThukela Water (UUW) has implemented a planned 24-hour shutdown of the Wiggins Water Treatment Works on Tuesday. 

Shad Nowbuth, eThekwini Ward 90 councillor, said repairs were completed on Wednesday morning and production at Wiggins started building storage capacity.

Nowbuth stated that all reservoirs will start receiving water after “charging” up the trunk mains.

“This would take some time, considering the large water system. Most reservoirs will hopefully begin supplying by late Wednesday evening,” Nowbuth stated. 

Although the meter replacement and inspection will take 24 hours, the UUW warned that full recovery of the water supply in some areas may take longer, particularly in higher-lying regions, where reservoir refill and system pressure recovery may be slower.

In a statement by the eThekwini Municipality, the recovery process of the city reservoirs could take up to three days after the completion of the shutdown, with some reservoirs recovering sooner than others.

The UUW stated that the shutdown is necessary to replace a 1,200mm gravity sales meter and to check other meters along the pipeline to ensure billing accuracy.

In preparation for this operation, UUW drained the reservoir networks and opened scour valves once the reservoirs reached low levels.

As a result, central and southern parts of the eThekwini Municipality, which receive supply from the Wiggins Water Treatment Works, have experienced water supply disruptions due to the cessation of flow to the city’s reservoirs during the shutdown.

The UUW stated that it will ensure that all affected reservoirs are filled ahead of the shutdown. However, it appeals to all consumers to use water sparingly during and after the shutdown period. Reduced consumption will help lower demand and facilitate quicker system recovery. 

The municipality said its teams will be closely monitoring the system to ensure the full restoration of the water supply. 

“Water tankers will be deployed to affected areas where necessary. The municipality apologises for any inconvenience caused,” stated the city. 

On Wednesday, several businesses and facilities felt the effects of the shutdown.

The Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) also issued a notice to staff and students encouraging them to conserve water and use it sparingly during this period. 

“Contingency measures will be put in place where possible to minimise disruptions to campus operations. We urge everyone to plan accordingly and remain patient,” Khayelihle Mbokazi, the maintenance department – Operations Directorate, stated on the MUT Facebook site.

 zainul.dawood@inl.co.za