Umdloti reservoir overflows while town experiences water supply issues
Umdloti resident, Mandy Courier, has been trying to get the issue fixed for years but has so far come up empty-handed.
Umdloti residents, upset with water restrictions, are demanding answers for water wastage gushing from the Umdloti reservoir.
Most of the area has had no water since last Tuesday, except on Saturday and Monday night, but water continues to flow from an overflow pipe coming out of the Umdloti reservoir.
Bellamont Road resident Mandy Courier said the eThekwini Municipality was doing nothing to stop the overflow.
“I have been trying since last year, via emails, to get the issue sorted out,” said Courier. “Absolutely nothing has been done to rectify the problem. I’m at a loss as to how to get this matter resolved.”
She said the issue had been ongoing since 2019. “It begs belief that water restrictions are being implemented around the province yet here we have a flagrant disregard for the enormous amount of water wasted.”
The senior manager for Water Networks at eThekwini Water Services, Lungile Ngwenya, told the Courier she was unaware of the water waste. She claimed the Umdloti reservoir had no water because of issues elsewhere.
“The Umdloti reservoir is empty,” said Ngwenya. “It is supplied from Hazelmere through Waterloo reservoir, but Waterloo reservoir has to be at 4.5 metres and above in storage to be able to feed Umdloti reservoir.”
On Tuesday morning, Courier said water was again flowing down Bellamont Road, but she was told it was due to a burst pipe.
“The reservoir loses gallons of water regularly. The water cascades down the road for hours without stopping. My opinion is that no one at the municipality knows what the issue is.”
Courier was told the actuator valve, which controls flow of water in and out of the reservoir, is faulty.
Ward 58 councillor, Geoff Pullan, visited the Umdloti reservoir and Bellamont Road on Thursday, where residents explained the situation.
Pullan believes the cause of the continuous leaks from the reservoir is due to faulty equipment and lack of maintenance.
“Years of a lack in maintenance is showing. The water is intermittent, it’s likely to be a valve malfunctioning,” he said.
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