Residents and businesses in several parts of Durban are being urged to make preparations ahead of a planned 48-hour interruption to the municipal water supply.
The shutdown is scheduled to begin at 06:00 on Tuesday, 29 September 2026, and is expected to remain in place until 06:00 on Thursday, 1 October.
The interruption will affect communities across Durban’s Inner West, Central and South regions, as contractors continue work on the city’s Southern Aqueduct Pipeline Upgrade Project.
Construction work behind the planned shutdown
The temporary water interruption will allow contractors to carry out construction and tie-in activities at two major connection chambers in Westville.
The work forms part of Work Package 6 of the Southern Aqueduct Pipeline Upgrade Project, which is aimed at strengthening Durban’s bulk water infrastructure and improving the reliability of supply to large parts of the city.
Several sections of the wider project have already been completed. Work Packages 1 and 3 have been commissioned, while a section of Work Package 2 between Shallcross and Northdene has also been brought into operation.
New pipeline designed to improve supply security
Work Package 2 includes approximately 3.8km of new steel pipeline, consisting of 2.5km of 1 200mm-diameter pipe and another 1.3km of 1 400mm-diameter pipe.
The additional infrastructure is intended to increase capacity while providing greater redundancy within the network.
That redundancy is important because it allows sections of the ageing pipeline system to be isolated for maintenance or repairs without placing as much pressure on a single existing pipeline.
According to eThekwini Municipality, the completed infrastructure is expected to improve water security for reservoirs serving roughly 300 000 people in central and southern Chatsworth.
It will also strengthen supply security to downstream reservoirs serving uMlazi and Folweni, which collectively serve an estimated 500 000 people.
The new pipeline has an anticipated lifespan of approximately 50 years.
Wider project expected to benefit 1.2 million people
The Southern Aqueduct upgrade involves the construction of a 24km bulk water pipeline that supplies 33 reservoirs.
Once the broader project is completed, the municipality expects the upgraded system to strengthen bulk water security for approximately 1.2 million residents across Durban’s southern and central areas.
Construction has not yet been completed across the entire project. Work Packages 4, 5 and 6 are still underway, meaning further interruptions may be required as sections of the new infrastructure are connected to the existing network.
Westville and surrounding areas among those affected
The shutdown will extend across a substantial number of communities supplied by affected reservoirs and pump stations.
In the Pinetown South region, affected areas include parts of Westville, Berea West, Dawncliffe, Klaarwater, Phumphele, St Wendolins, Savannah Park, Nsizwakazi, Regency Park, Latana, Hlanganisa, Gwala Road, Sarjoo Road, Intake, Nagina Township, Khoseleni, Sthundu Hills, Dambuza, Mawelewele and Progress Road.
Major facilities in the affected supply network include Westville Hospital, Pavilion Shopping Centre, Westway Office Park and Westwood Mall.
Extensive impact expected across the Central region
A wide range of communities around Queensburgh, Chatsworth and surrounding areas will also experience the interruption.
These include Farningham Ridge, Hillary, Malvern, Mount Vernon, Queensburgh, Queensmead Industrial, Shallcross, Moseley Park, Northdene, Nirvana Hills, Coedmore, Umbilo, Umhlathuzana, Arena Park, Bayview, Chatsworth, Crossmoor, Enhlanzeni, Klaarwater, Montford, Moorton, Risecliff, Silverglen, Welbedagt, Westcliff, Woodhurst, Woodlands and Yellowwood Park.
The affected supply network also covers areas connected to the Chatsworth, Shallcross, Klaarwater and Westcliff reservoirs.
Umlazi, Ensimbini and Folweni also affected
The planned shutdown will extend into the South region, including parts of Umlazi, Ensimbini and Folweni.
In Umlazi, affected sections include communities supplied through Umlazi 1/1A to Umlazi 6, covering areas designated A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W, X, Y, Z, AA, BB and CC.
The affected Ensimbini and Folweni supply areas include Ensimbini, Ntabankulu, Draaihoek, Mahlabathini, Mangamazini, Mkhazini, Folweni A, B and C, Golokodo, Dodoza and Isiphingo Esincane.
Residents advised to store water before Tuesday
With the shutdown only hours away, households and businesses in the affected areas are being encouraged to make arrangements before the interruption begins.
Residents who depend on municipal water should store sufficient supplies for essential activities, including drinking, cooking, toilet flushing and basic household needs.
Businesses are also being urged to plan for the two-day interruption, particularly those whose daily operations depend heavily on a reliable water supply.
The municipality’s planned shutdown is scheduled to start at 06:00 on Tuesday, 29 September, with the target restoration time set for 06:00 on Thursday, 1 October 2026.
