EThekwini Municipality is working closely with bulk water supplier uMngeni-uThukela Water (UUW) to address elevated levels of 2-methylisoborneol (MIB) affecting water supplied through the Wiggins Water Treatment Works.
The Municipality wishes to assure residents that, despite the temporary taste and odour changes, water remains safe for human consumption and continues to meet the required quality and safety standards.
The matter relates to elevated levels of 2-methylisoborneol (MIB), a naturally occurring compound associated with increased levels of blue-green algae in surface water systems.
While MIB can cause an earthy or musty taste and odour in drinking water, it does not pose a health risk.
The City’s bulk water supplier, UUW, has advised that it has already implemented several intervention measures to address the matter at the Inanda Dam and Wiggins Water Treatment Works.
These measures include intensified water treatment processes, more frequent filtration cycles, and enhanced monitoring systems.
In addition, an advanced ozone treatment process was introduced in May as an additional intervention, achieving at least a 50 percent removal efficiency in conjunction with powdered activated carbon treatment systems.
UUW has confirmed that the water continues to comply with the highest quality and safety standards and remains safe for human consumption.
The Municipality acknowledges the inconvenience caused by the taste and odour changes and wishes to assure residents that technical teams are monitoring the situation continuously and engaging regularly with UUW to ensure the best possible outcome for consumers.
Affected areas in the central system are:
Bulwer, Glenwood, Sea View, Chesterville, Umbilo, Bonela, Isiphingo Beach, Isiphingo Rail, Orient Hills, Bluff, Prospecton Industrial, uMlazi T, Malaba Hills, Reunion, uMlazi V, uMlazi Mission A, eZimbokodweni, Lotus Park, Malukazi, uMlazi U, uMlazi Y, Durban Old Airport, Jacobs, Sherwood, Merebank East, Merewent, Mobeni, Mobeni West, Reunion, Bayhead, Beach, Bachwood, Cave Rock, Durban CBD, Durban Beachfront, Old Fort, Point, South Beach, Stamford Hill, Warwick, Austeville, Brighton Beach, Stanvac, Wentworth, Bayhead, Clairwood, Merebank East, Montclair, Rossburgh, Woodlands, part of Morningside, part of Overport, part of Essenwood, part of Westridge, part of Carrington Heights, part of Mobeni Heights, part of Lamontville, uMlazi V, and Prince Mshiyeni Hospital.
Affected areas in the south are:
Athlone Park, Galleria Mall, Arbour Crossing, Kingsway Hospital, Two Cancer Centres, eZimbokodweni, Southgate Industrial Park, Lewis Drive, Amanzimtoti CBD, Athlone Park and Kingsway Hospital, Almond, Winklespruit, Warner Beach, Illovo Glen, Lower Illovo, Doonside, Launceston, Illovo Beach, Karridene Protea Hotel, Panorama Park, Umgababa, Umnini, Area Africa, Mfume, KwaSoni, Mashiwase, Nkwali, Lovu A, B and C, Bhekulwandle, Msarhweni, Lovu Phase 1 and 3, Lovu Landfill, Inkwali, KwaMakhutha, Mkhazini, eMasomini, Ekuhlengeni Psychiatric Hospital, Ohlongeni, D1060, Adams, Adams Central, Zwelisha, Mkhazini, Umnini, Ilfracombe, Magabheni, Ehlanzeni, Thoyane, Umkhomazi, Craigieburn, Amahlongwa, Amalundi, Crowder Farm, Malukazi, Clansthal, V-Section, Malundi, Amahlongwa, Saiccor Village, Naidooville, Crowder Farm and Lewis Drive.
The Municipality will continue providing updates should there be any significant developments.
