Phoenix daily water cuts could last until 2032, eThekwini says

Daily water cuts in Phoenix wards 48 to 52 are likely to continue until 2032, eThekwini Municipality has confirmed. The water is switched off every afternoon and comes back the next morning, and the City says the long-term fix, the Upper uMkhomazi Water Project, is only scheduled for completion in 2032 (The Post via IOL).

Which areas are affected?

Phoenix wards 48, 49, 50, 51 and 52 (The Post via IOL). Residents told The Post the water is sometimes switched off as early as 11am and usually returns before 5am, with no published schedule, including on weekends and public holidays (The Post via IOL). Residents say the cuts have run for more than four years.

Why does eThekwini switch the water off?

City spokesperson Senzelwe Mzila told The Post that Phoenix is supplied mainly through the Northern Aqueduct from uMngeni-uThukela Water's Durban Heights Water Treatment Works. He said demand in the northern corridor now exceeds what the bulk pipes can deliver at peak times, so when reservoir levels drop below safe operating levels the City manages supply to let them recover. Without this, he said, the system would drain completely, causing longer unplanned outages, especially for high-lying homes (The Post via IOL).

Some residents and political parties have alleged that water is being diverted to other areas such as Cornubia. This has not been verified, and the City's explanation is the capacity problem above (The Post via IOL).

When will the water cuts end?

Not before 2032, according to the City. The R30 billion Upper uMkhomazi Water Project, run with the national Department of Water and Sanitation, the Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority and uMngeni-uThukela Water, is due for completion in 2032 (The Post via IOL). The Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority has said the project is expected to start delivering water in July 2032 (Engineering News).

In the meantime, eThekwini says teams are repairing leaks and defective or vandalised air valves on the Northern Aqueduct to increase supply hours (The Post via IOL).

What can Phoenix residents do?

• Store water before the afternoon cut-off.
• Ask for a tanker if your supply is off for an extended period. The City says tankers are deployed in those cases (The Post via IOL).
• Report leaks and outages on the 24-hour faults line 080 13 13 013 (toll free from a landline), WhatsApp 073 148 3477, SMS 43554 or email [email protected] (eThekwini contact page).