Durban suburb endures nine days without water

Several residential roads in Springtown in Durban have gone nine days without a supply of water to their taps. 

In emails to eThekwini officials, community leaders pleaded with the municipality to get the supply of water back to their taps. Concerned resident Kaylen Moodley said the area had been experiencing ongoing water supply challenges since mid-2025. 

This time, he said, the supply has completely stopped on Dahlia Road, Lotus Road, Foxglove Place, Ribes Place, and Alpine Road - the problems started on Wednesday, February 4. The eThekwini Municipality has supplied the area with water tankers. 

“The situation has caused severe hardship for residents. Families are struggling to meet basic needs, babies, children, the elderly, and working adults are all being affected. Access to clean water for drinking, cooking, hygiene, and sanitation has become a daily struggle, and conditions are becoming increasingly unsafe and unacceptable,” he said.

Moodley said despite repeated complaints and escalations, there has been no clear communication, intervention, or solution from local leadership. He said there has been no visibility, no updates and no accountability while residents continue to suffer.

Glynis Murugas, another concerned resident, stated she received feedback from the municipality that the reference number she was issued, was linked to the Sea Cow Lake Reservoir. Murugas suspects that there has been a mix-up with Springfield in Alpine Road and Springfield Park in Sea Cow Lake area, a different suburb. 

“According to the municipal control room, the Sea Cow Lake Reservoir is currently at a healthy level and should not be experiencing any issues. In addition, Lotus Road is not supplied by the Sea Cow Lake Reservoir, so it is unclear why this reference number is linked to that reservoir,” Murugas stated.

She suggested that the matter requires immediate attention, as the prolonged lack of water is severely impacting residents.

“What is most concerning is the complete lack of communication. Multiple emails have been sent, and none have been acknowledged or answered. If there is sabotage at the reservoirs, repairs being carried out, or water shedding in effect, we have a right to be informed of what is happening and when the issue will be resolved,” she said. 

In a general statement about water issues and not directed at Springtown, the municipality stated that they were attending to the interruption of the water supply affecting areas supplied by the Wiggins Water Works High Lift Pump Station. 

The interruption is a result of low system pressures and exceptionally high water demand, exacerbated by the ongoing heatwave. The municipality stated that sustained high demand has placed a significant strain on the water distribution system, resulting in reservoirs being unable to maintain healthy operating levels. 

"Consequently, areas within certain reservoir supply zones are being affected. The municipality added that high-lying and high-level areas are particularly vulnerable, as they depend on sufficient reservoir levels and pressure to receive a consistent water supply."

Technical teams from the Water Services Directorate are monitoring the system and implementing operational interventions to stabilise reservoir levels, the city said.

"These interventions include detailed inspections of pipe routes, valve chambers, line valves, air valves and other critical infrastructure to identify and address any issues that may be contributing to reduced supply pressure," the municipality stated. 

Affected areas include:

• Sherwood 3 Reservoir: Bonela, Briardene, Clare Estate, Clare Hills, Garden Park, Morningside, Musgrave, Palmiet, Sherwood, Sparks, Springfield, Springfield Flats, Sydenham, Waterval Park, Westridge and Wiggins

Affected reservoirs include:

• Chesterville Reservoir
• Ridge View Reservoir
• St Thomas Reservoir
• Currie Road Reservoir
• Ridge End Reservoir
• Rosetta Reservoir
• Cato Manor Reservoir
• South Ridge Reservoir
• Woodlands 1 and 2 Reservoirs
• Lamontville Reservoir
• Mobeni Rear
• Bluff 1, 2, and 3 Reservoirs
• South Reservoir

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