A burst water pipeline, located on the pavement at the intersection of Tarndale Avenue and RD Naidu Drive, has remained unrepaired since the incident occurred at 6pm on Monday. The situation had not been resolved as of the time of this report on Tuesday.
Image: Asherville Ratepayers Association
Frustration is mounting among residents after a major water leak in Durban was left unattended for more than 13 hours, spilling thousands of litres while the city simultaneously urges strict water conservation.
The burst pipe, which flooded a busy intersection in Asherville, has intensified criticism of the municipality’s response to ongoing supply disruptions and infrastructure failures, despite the eThekwini Municipality's ongoing warning to residents to conserve water.
The pipeline burst occurred at the intersection of Tarndale Avenue and RD Naidu Drive on Monday at 6pm.
By the time of reporting on Tuesday, the leak had not been fixed, with concerned residents noting that a tremendous volume of water was flowing from the pipe.
On Monday, the municipality advised residents to expect an intermittent water supply. At the same time, reservoirs refill, and water rationing will continue to stabilise the network and ensure fair distribution across affected communities.
The municipality stated that the full recovery of the reticulation system is expected to take approximately three to four weeks.
“eThekwini Municipality urges all residents and businesses to use water sparingly following an incident affecting the supply of raw water to the northern and southern areas of the city.
“The city and uMngeni-uThukela Water are working around the clock to balance the water supply system across affected areas following the repair to damaged valves,” the municipality stated.
According to a resident, who wished to remain anonymous, a municipal plumbing contractor had arrived at the site on Monday night.
“Umgeni Water should see how this municipality is failing to preserve water. I was on site, and the high flow rate of water on this particular burst is quite excessive. We are facing a water crisis; this should have been prioritised. Multiple reports have been made, and references have been logged,” he said.
The municipality added that on March 11, 2026, the city’s bulk water supplier, uMngeni-uThukela Water, reported damage to a valve at Nagle Dam.
This incident disrupted the supply of raw water to the Durban Heights Water Treatment Works, which provides treated water to several areas across both the northern and southern regions of the municipality. The valves have been repaired.
The municipality added that the treatment works began operating at full treatment capacity from Monday. However, while treatment capacity will be restored, the reticulation system will take time to recover fully.
To support system recovery, the municipality, working in collaboration with uMngeni-uThukela Water, has implemented a system stabilisation and water rationing plan to restore stability to the water supply network.
Under the temporary rationing plan currently being implemented across affected systems and reservoirs, some consumers will receive water only in the morning, while others will receive water both during the morning and afternoon until the system stabilises.
According to the municipality, water is now flowing from the treatment works into the city’s reservoirs, and some areas have begun receiving water through their taps as supply gradually returns.
Rose Cortes, spokesperson for the eThekwini Ratepayers Protest Movement (ERPM), said unrepaired water pipe leaks were not limited to Asherville.
She explained that Asherville and its surrounds have experienced daily water cuts for over two months.
“The insult of watching an unabated burst deplete the system, with no urgency from the city to address it, is not lost on communities across this metro. There has been very little city intervention for leaks across the city. We are told to exercise patience due to a backlog, against the backdrop of an entire water network that is on active life support,” Cortes said.
Remona McKenzie, eThekwini Ward 31 DA councillor, said that no night-shift plumbers were available to attend to the leak, adding that a plumber has been dispatched.
DA eThekwini Exco member, Councillor Yogis Govender, said there was a looming strike by plumbing contractors working with the eThekwini Water and Sanitation (EWS) Unit over non-payment.
She said many contractors have not been paid since October 2025, and are once again preparing for a strike action.
“While the city claims a 98% timely payment rate, contractors have exposed these figures as misleading, citing delay tactics where legitimate, completed paperwork is left uncaptured for months. This has left small businesses unable to pay staff or fuel vehicles, forcing them to choose between bankruptcy or downing tools,” she said.