Thanks to the support and co-operation of the local community, the new inlet pipe that transfers water from the main line to the Jerome Drive Reservoir in Kloof is well on track for completion before year end.

Spokesman for eThekwini Water and Sanitation (EWS), Andrew Copley, said that between 60 and 70 percent of the work on the pipeline replacement had already been completed. Construction began in June and the new pipeline is expected to be commissioned in December this year. The contractor will leave site in January 2014 in time for the beginning of the new school year.

The new pipe – which is 300mm in diameter and covers a stretch measuring 1,5 kilometres – has crossed the M13 from Old Main Rd in front of Standard Bank in Village Rd. It continues down St. Mary’s Rd past the St. Mary’s Girls School and then takes a left turn into Edgecliff Rd before passing through a servitude into Jerome Place and ending in the Jerome Drive Reservoir complex.

At the beginning of the year, EWS decided to lay a completely new pipe as continual repairs would not only be costly but cause considerable inconvenience. Replacement of aging water infrastructure is also imperative to minimise leaks and conserve Durban’s precious water resources.

Copley said that, given the fact that this is a busy thoroughfare traversed by up to 1 000 cars each day, the logistics surrounding the project had been considerable. To minimise inconvenience to all affected and especially to parents, pupils and staff at St. Mary’s Girls School, it had been decided that no work would be done on the new pipeline before 8am. Detours are put in place throughout the day to ensure that traffic flows continually.

“Everything has been running smoothly. The contractor has been working closely with the community, keeping everyone updated on the progress of the project and future plans. Effective traffic plans have helped and the parents of children attending the school are kept informed before any work commences. They have been able to avoid areas where we are working as a whole. We were extremely pleased to have been commended by the school for the work we have been doing,” Copley concluded.