Rolls Royce of pipes planned for flood-struck Umdloti
Umdloti has been without water since the most recent floods, with the local Urban Improvement Precinct (UIP) turning to crowdfunding for two JoJo tanks which have been filled privately to meet demand.
Two high outflow pipes will be installed at Umdloti’s Bellamont Road, which sits between a hill-top development and North Beach Road, where it is hoped high volumes of storm water will be channeled out to sea in future.
Umdloti had been left flood-struck and without water after the recent heavy rainfall.
Also damaged during the floods was the Umdloti water works, at which repairs have started.
eThekwini metro spokesperson, Msawakhe Mayisela, said the mayor had handed over the site to a contractor last Wednesday.
Aside of the installation of the two large pipes, said to be the ‘Rolls Royce’ of pipes, engineers are hopeful to return basic water services to the seaside town soon.
Mayisela did not confirm whether relief tankers had been sent to Umdloti.
Umdloti Conservancy member Terry Rens said the Umdloti UIP had successfully crowdfunded the purchase of two JoJo tanks which have since been placed at Sandbar Restaurant and Total Garage.
“Water has been organised for distribution and is being supplied privately through these tanks,” Rens said, noting that R20 000 had been raised to buy the tanks.
Meanwhile, it is hoped that the installation of the high outflow pipes will in future prevent mudslides and severe damage to properties.
Metro head of storm water and design, Greg Williams, said about 20 of these pipes had been installed elsewhere with excellent results. We are confident that what we are putting in the ground here will work. Included in the contract is the repair of the Umdloti circle on the seaside,” he said.
Work on the pipes is expected to be completed this month.
Relief measures, possibly in terms of Metro rates relief for residents hard-hit by the floods, will be discussed and shared at a later stage.
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