A water pipeline burst along Mc Bean Road in Cowies Hill, South Africa, at 4am on Tuesday, causing significant damage to the road and temporarily leaving eight households unable to leave their driveways by vehicle. The burst pipeline resulted in a sinkhole, stranding residents and restricting access to Mc Bean Road, Avent Road, and Radwin Road. Residents reported waking up to the sound of gushing water through their properties.
According to Andreas Mathios, spokesperson for Marshall Security community support, residents were frustrated as the pipeline had burst previously. A video clip recorded by Mathios showed water gushing out of the pipeline and flowing down the road into a driveway. The repeated burst has left residents upset, with some expressing concerns about the reliability of the water supply system.
eThekwini Ward 18 councillor Melanie Brauteseth responded quickly to the crisis, restoring the water supply to the area and dispatching three water tankers to the site while repairs were underway. Brauteseth confirmed that the pipeline had previously broken in August 2025 and noted residents' frustration with the repeat burst. Her swift action helped alleviate some of the immediate concerns of the affected residents.
Resident Mary van Wijk reported that municipal teams were filling up potholes and sinkholes on Wednesday, and that sections of the road had been opened up to allow residents to access their driveways. However, driving on the road remains restricted while repairs are underway. Van Wijk described the damage as considerable, despite the road being relatively short.
The damage to residents' properties was extensive, with van Wijk reporting that the paving on her driveway had washed away and the hinges on her gate had been ripped off. A neighbour's wire fence and side wall also collapsed due to the force of the water. Despite the disruption, van Wijk praised the municipality's response, saying they had done an amazing job with the pipe repairs.
The eThekwini Municipality attended to the major burst on the water reticulation system's 525 mm asbestos-cement pipe, replacing the damaged section with a 600 mm steel pipeline. The replacement work was undertaken to prevent future bursts and ensure a more reliable water supply to the area. The municipality's efforts have helped to mitigate the impact of the burst pipeline on residents.
The swift response from the eThekwini Municipality and the replacement of the damaged pipeline have helped to alleviate concerns about the water supply system in Cowies Hill. Residents can now access their homes, albeit with some restrictions, and the municipality's efforts have prevented further disruptions to the area. The incident highlights the importance of proactive maintenance and rapid response to infrastructure failures.
Key points
- The eThekwini Municipality responded quickly to the burst pipeline, restoring water supply and dispatching water tankers to the area.
- The burst pipeline had previously failed in August 2025, leading to frustration among residents about the reliability of the water supply system.
- The municipality replaced the damaged 525 mm asbestos-cement pipe with a 600 mm steel pipeline to prevent future bursts.
