Northern Aqueduct bulk water pipeline Phase 5 to begin in August

Durban’s Northern Aqueduct Augmentation (NAA) Phase 5 comprises a new 1,200-mm- diameter continuously welded steel high pressure pipeline stretching from Durban Heights Reservoir in Reservoir Hills to Duffs Road and an incrementally launched reinforced concrete bridge over the Umgeni River.

Ednick Msweli, head of eThekwini Water and Sanitation (EWS) explained that although there was sufficient water to meet current needs, it could not be delivered efficiently to areas where it was needed most.

Augmentation is necessary as the existing NA system, a network of potable bulk water supply pipelines that serves the north eastern portion of eThekwini north of the Umgeni River, south of the Ohlanga River and east of Ntuzuma and conveys potable water from Durban Heights Waterworks to terminal reservoirs that serve residents and businesses, has reached maximum flow capacity.

Phase 5 will benefit Newlands, KwaMashu, Phoenix, Cornubia, Waterloo, Umhlanga and Durban North. The entire NAA Phase 5 is expected to be completed by December 2019.

Martin Bright the project manager said that pipeline route investigations were complete and the Engineering Consultants, Bosch Projects have completed the detail design stage. Key challenges include constructing the pipeline through densely populated built up areas, traversing major roads and railway lines, dealing with existing buried municipal services and rehabilitating environmentally sensitive areas.

In addition to the pipeline itself, a concrete pipe bridge will be constructed across the Umgeni River above the 1:100 year flood line. This will comprise a reinforced concrete box type bridge cross-section, which will be incrementally launched and supported on five solid concrete piers, and will cross the Umgeni River adjacent to the existing pipeline.

Bright said that environmental rehabilitation would be required during and after construction. EWS has appointed Gibb as the independent environmental consultants and impact assessors for this segment of the NAA. Environmental challenges are expected to include wetland and riparian crossings, wooded-grassland crossings, biophysical impacts and social impacts, amongst others. Gibb has developed a comprehensive Environmental Management Programme which includes a Plant Rescue and Rehabilitation Plan (PRRP) to cater for these.

The Northern Aqueduct project has been designed and is being monitored by Bosch Projects.

More information from Shirley Williams on 031 564 7700 / 083 303 1663 / shirley@swcommunications.co.za

Ednick Msweli, head of eThekwini Water and Sanitation (EWS), can be reached via Kim Brackenridge on 031 311 8605.