Umgeni Water shuts down operations at Hazelmere treatment works

Umgeni Water is unable to treat turbid water entering to the Hazelmere Dam water treatment plant and has shut down operations.

In a statement on Wednesday afternoon, Umgeni spokesperson Shami Harichunder said high levels of turbidity caused by the continuous heavy rains in catchment areas since the weekend necessitated the shutdown.

“The quality of water abstracted and supplied to the treatment plant began deteriorating since Tuesday night as strong inflows into the dam continued. As a precaution, Umgeni Water began reducing processing of potable water,” he said.

“Work began today (Wednesday) to flush the process units so that we are able to produce water that meets SAN 241:2015 standards. Once this has been achieved, production of potable water will begin again, after which supply to consumers will resume,” Harichunder explained.

“Umgeni Water wishes to assure consumers that there will no undue delays in completing the work required to fully restore production.”

Areas affected include Verulam, Waterloo, La Mercy, Sea Tides, Ndwedwe, Ballito and parts of Groutville.

Siza Water supplies Ballito, while iLembe District Municipality supplies Ndwedwe and parts of Groutville – water received from the Hazelmere treatment plant.

No timeframes have been provided.

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