The eThekwini Municipality has commissioned a section of Work Package 2 (WP2) of the R1.2 billion Southern Aqueduct project, marking progress in efforts to strengthen bulk water supply and improve water security for communities in the city’s southern and central areas.
The commissioned section forms part of a 3.8-kilometre pipeline between Shallcross and Northdene, comprising approximately 2.5 kilometres of 1 200mm-diameter steel pipeline and 1.3 kilometres of 1 400mm-diameter pipeline.
Project Executive Siduduzo Mtshali said the infrastructure forms part of the broader Southern Aqueduct system and includes five cross-connection chambers, 12 scour valve chambers, 18 air valve chambers and an isolation valve chamber.
“A key component of WP2 has been the pipe-jacking works, which involved installing the new pipeline at a significantly lower level than the existing line. This infrastructure will facilitate the supply of water and improve operational flexibility within the network,” Mtshali said.
He said construction encountered significant challenges after contractors discovered considerably more rock than initially anticipated. Excavation has since been completed, with the contractor proceeding with the installation of the pipeline.
Once fully completed, WP2 will restore redundancy across approximately 3.8 kilometres of the system, reducing reliance on a single ageing pipeline and allowing for greater flexibility during maintenance and repairs.
“This will provide greater security of supply to the primary and secondary reservoirs in the central and southern parts of Chatsworth, serving approximately 300 000 residents. It will also strengthen supply security to downstream reservoirs in uMlazi and Folweni, which serve approximately 500 000 residents,” Mtshali said.
The additional pipeline capacity will enable the municipality to undertake maintenance and repairs to existing infrastructure while minimising disruptions to water supply.
With an anticipated lifespan of 50 years, the new pipeline will reduce the network’s dependence on a single ageing water main and allow sections of the system to be isolated more efficiently during maintenance and other operational interventions.
The additional infrastructure is also expected to reduce the risk of unplanned pipeline failures, water losses and prolonged supply interruptions associated with emergency repairs.
Mtshali said Work Packages 1 and 3 of the Southern Aqueduct project had been completed and commissioned, while Work Packages 4, 5 and 6 were still under construction.
“The Southern Aqueduct project is a major investment in the city’s bulk water infrastructure and, once completed, will strengthen the bulk water network serving approximately 1.2 million residents.
“The upgraded 24-kilometre bulk pipeline will continue to supply 33 reservoirs while improving the reliability and resilience of water provision to communities in the southern and central areas,” he said.
The R1.2 billion project is aimed at strengthening the city’s bulk water network and improving water security for current and future generations.
Planned water supply interruption
Meanwhile, the municipality has announced a planned water supply interruption along the Southern Aqueduct pipeline from 6am on Tuesday, 29 September, until 6am on Thursday, 1 October.
The shutdown is required to facilitate construction and the tie-in of two major connection chambers under Work Package 6 in Westville.
The interruption is expected to affect parts of the municipality’s Inner West, Central and South regions.
“This is a critical milestone in the project and will affect water supply to parts of the Inner West, Central, and South regions. The interruption will enable contractors to undertake work for the new Southern Aqueduct Pipeline Upgrade Project,” the municipality said. - SAnews.gov.za
