DURBAN South residents are encouraged to stockpile water ahead of eThekwini municipality’s planned water outage for areas supplied by the uMngeni-uThukela Wiggins Water Treatment Works Gravity System, which take place from tomorrow morning (July 8) until July 9.
Also read: Durban South residents should prepare for a planned water outage
The shutdown is necessary to replace 1200mm diameter seals and check meters on the principal bulk pipeline and also repair a leak on the aqueducts that has affected water flow recovery since April.
The project will include a complete shut-down of the Wiggins Treatment Works and that will mean no water being delivered to the reservoirs during this time.
Affected areas:
- The Bluff.
- Austerville.
- Wentworth.
- Bayhead.
- Jacobs.
- Clairwood.
- Merebank (East).
- Merewent.
- Montclair.
- Woodlands.
Tips to stretch your water supply:
- Opt for hand sanitiser: You can switch to an alcohol-based hand sanitiser to clean your hands without using water. Soap and water is still the best combination, however if you need to stretch limited water supply it may come in handy.
- Make use of grey water: Waste water collected from the bath, sinks, washing machines and other appliances can be used for flushing the toilets. Ensure that the greywater doesn’t contain harsh chemicals that could damage plumbing.
- Collect rainwater: You do not need a fancy tank to collect rainwater, make use of regular buckets and barrels to store it. This water can be used for various non-potable needs, like flushing toilets, cleaning and watering plants.
- Invest in heating buckets: The frequency of water outages in eThekwini prompt the need for buckets that ideally help conserve hot water especially during winter. Heat as needed for washing dishes or taking a quick sponge bath. This method ensures you use only the necessary amount of water.
- Fill five litre bottles beforehand: A trusted method of stockpiling that always works. Flushing a toilet consumes a lot of water and these 5 litres come in handy to ensure you are able to flush properly.
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