Pumps at Durban Heights Water Treatment Works to be repaired

The Umgeni Water’s Durban Heights Water Treatment Works in South Africa is set to undergo repair works on its pumps. This follows a valve problem experience at the pump station, resulting in taps running dry in thousands of home in the western suburbs.

Shami Harrichunder, the spokesman for Umgeni Water made the announcement and said the valve at the pump station which serves the purpose similar to that of a non-return vale has remained in a locked position.

“Due to the valve fault, Umgeni Water was not able to pump adequate water to the Mount Moriah Reservoir within eThekwini. The Mount Moriah Reservoir has been depleting rapidly because Umgeni Water has not been able to supply the required amount of potable water to it. As a result, Pinetown, New Germany and parts of Westville have been without water since Thursday. Two small pumps at Durban Heights Water Treatment Works are feeding the Mount Moriah Reservoir, but the small amounts of water entering the reservoir is not sufficient to fill it,” said Mr Shami.

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Potable water

“Umgeni Water wishes to apologise for any inconvenience that may have been caused because of the interruption in water supply. The system will be recharged as soon as works are done It must be noted that it takes about two hours for the system to be fully recharged. Once this occurs, water supply will resume as per normal,” he added.

As the focus on drinking water quality in South Africa intensifies, Umgeni Water has endeavoured to ensure that the quality of potable water it supplies remains safe to consumer health over a lifetime of consumption. Water quality at all water treatment works and bulk supply points is measured and reported against the South African National Standard (SANS).