ETHEKWINI Mayor Cyril Xaba has expressed satisfaction with the progress of a water project which, once complete, will alleviate supply woes in the areas of Northdene and Queensburgh, among others.

On Wednesday morning Xaba conducted an oversight visit to the project – the Southern Aqueduct – to assess the progress of the construction work.

The R1.2b Southern Aqueduct project aims to meet the growing water demand in the south of the city as well as parts of the central area in eThekwini. Once completed, the project will improve water supply in Umlazi, Queensburgh, Chatsworth and surrounding areas.

Xaba said the construction of the 24km water trunk line from Durban Heights through Westville, Queensburgh, Shallcross, Umlazi to Folweni started in April 2024 and is set to be completed by August 2026.

The mayor said he has been assured that the project is on course to meet its deadline for completion.

Ward 63 councillor Chris van den Berg said the project is welcomed and brings hope because the 32 000 or so residents in the area have had to endure tough times due to water outages which forced them to rely on water tankers that are not enough.

“Things have got a lot better but the system is still very fragile,” said Van den Berg.

The councillor added that the larger-sized steel pipe, which is being laid to replace the older one that had surpassed its 50-year lifespan, will see a better flow of water.

“There should be a much better flow of water but again it all depends on the availability of water,” said Van den Berg.

Ward 18 councillor Melanie Brauteseth said an assurance was given that once construction works reach the north of Westville, water supply in that area will not be interrupted.

@caxtonlocalmedia Ward 18 councillor Melanie Brauteseth has warned that traffic disruptions are expected near Avon School as construction on the massive R1.2 billion Southern Aqueduct project moves northward. BUT—there’s good news too! Brauteseth said she’s been assured water supply won’t be interrupted in the area. Plus, work near the school will be scheduled during holidays to ease pressure on parents. #caxtondurban #highwaymail #queensburghnews #watercrisis ♬ original sound – caxtonlocalmedia

However, traffic will be affected, and Brauteseth said she will keep the community of the ward updated.

“There is going to be quite a challenge in terms of traffic around the Avon school; they are going to be working around there. They have assured me that they will plan that work through the school holidays to alleviate the stress of parents getting their children to school,” said Brauteseth.

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