WATCH: Frustration as water supply challenges persist in Richards Bay

Richards Bay still without water as the City of uMhlathuze continues to conduct repairs to a leaking pipeline

May 15, 2026

Gugu Myeni 1 minute read

City plumbers were forced to replace a section of the leaking 800mm pipeline on Thursday PHOTO: Supplied

The City of uMhlathuze is expected to continue dispatching tankers to Richards Bay residents who have been without water since Wednesday.

This as repairs continue this (Friday) morning on a damaged 800mm ringfeed pipeline supplying the town and surrounding areas.

ALSO READ: WATCH: Richards Bay and surroundings still without water following pipeline burst

While repairs were initially completed on Thursday morning, further damage was discovered, effectively delaying the restoration of the water supply to residents.

The municipality’s communications manager, Simphiwe Makhanya, said some low-lying areas are receiving water. These include parts of Veldenvlei, Arboretum extension, Meerensee, Birdswood and part of Mandlazini.

“Water tankers are supplying the adversely affected areas, which are Aquadene, Brackenham, Alton, Wildenweide, Birdswood and Mandlazini,” said Mkhanya, noting that other areas are experiencing low water pressure.

“It is estimated that the completion of repairs will take plus minus eight hours. Basically, by this evening we should have water if we don’t encounter further problems,” he added.

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