The eThekwini Municipality’s Southern Aqueduct project has led to water rationing, affecting various areas, including Westville, where the Westville Theatre Club is struggling to maintain its productions due to intermittent water outages. The club’s secretary, Dorothy O’Neill, expressed concerns about the disruptions, stating that the situation is unhygienic and embarrassing for patrons.
The water rationing is a result of the municipality’s inability to operate the Southern Aqueduct system at full capacity following the completion of planned shutdown and tie-in works. According to the municipality, one section of the existing prestressed concrete pipe (PCP) in Northbourne Road, Westville, remains closed, resulting in a current shortfall of approximately 50 megalitres of water per day.
Impact on Westville Theatre Club
The Westville Theatre Club is an amateur community theatre that is currently running a production with approximately 70 patrons and cast per show. However, the water outages have forced the club to rely on buckets and hand sanitisers, which is not ideal for maintaining hygiene standards. O’Neill said that the club is trying to make do with the situation, but it is not the kind of experience they wish to provide for their patrons.
Affected Areas
Some of the areas affected by the water rationing include Klaarwater, Phumphele, St Wendolins, part of Nsizwakazi, Savannah Park, and Wiltshire Factories. Other areas include Northdene, Queensburgh, Mount Vernon, Umbilo, Umhlathuzana, and Umkhumbaan. The municipality has advised residents and businesses in these areas to expect low water pressure, intermittent supply, or temporary outages during this period.
For more information on water conservation, residents can visit the Department of Water and Sanitation website. The municipality has also urged residents to report any water leaks or bursts to the Department of Water and Sanitation’s contact page.
The contractor is working to replace four lengths of the existing PCP pipeline, which will allow the Southern Aqueduct to return to normal operating flows. The municipality has apologized for the inconvenience caused and has assured residents that they are working to resolve the issue as soon as possible.
- Klaarwater
- Phumphele
- St Wendolins
- Part of Nsizwakazi
- Savannah Park
- Wiltshire Factories
