A section of the new Northern Aqueduct pipeline while under construction. This project is currently being commissioned.

THE City’s Water and Sanitation Unit (EWS) has commenced with the commissioning of two vital projects to improve water supply to some parts of the northern areas. The project includes the new Northern Aqueduct Augmentation pipeline and a water rising main (pipeline) from Hazelmere to the Grange Reservoir. The commissioning of the 600mm diameter pipeline, which is 4.3 kilometres long from Hazelmere to the Grange Reservoir, has been completed. There has been a noticeable improved water supply to areas such as Grange, Everest Heights, Redcliff, and the Osindisweni Hospital area since its completion. 

The commissioning of the new Northern Aqueduct is in progress and is set to improve water supply to areas such as Verulam and Phoenix to name a few. Deputy Head of EWS Jabulani Mayise said the new Northern Aqueduct Augmentation pipeline interconnects to the existing old aqueduct and aims to improve flow of water supply to areas in the north. This will also help cater for new developments. “For now, we are commissioning for Verulam, Phoenix, and surrounding areas. Once we are done with this part, the pipeline will be commissioned to supply areas such as Cornubia and uMhlanga,” he said.

The old Northern Aqueduct is a network of bulk supply pipelines that conveys water from the Durban Heights Treatment Works and supplies water to reservoirs in the north. This pipeline has been operating at maximum capacity and with the increased developments, including residential and commercial, there was a need for the implementation of the Aqueduct Augmentation. Areas such as Verulam have been struggling to receive consistent water supply because their main reservoir, Mount View Reservoir, is at the end of the old Northern Aqueduct. 

The Mount View Reservoir supplies other downstream dependent reservoirs namely Trenence 1 and 3 reservoirs. The areas experienced constrained supply due to the increased demand. Mayise added that while the City implements medium-term interventions to improve the situation, the permanent solution to water supply challenges will be the commissioning of Umkhomazi Dam which is currently underway.  is project will increase volumes of water throughout the City.