A water pipeline burst along Mc Bean Road in Cowies Hill, Durban, on Tuesday morning, causing considerable damage to the road and temporarily leaving eight households unable to leave their driveways by vehicle. The incident occurred at 4am, and residents woke up to the sound of gushing water through their properties. A sinkhole formed, leaving residents stranded and with restricted access to Mc Bean Road, Avent Road, and Radwin Road.
According to Andreas Mathios, spokesperson for private company Marshall Security community support, residents were frustrated because the pipeline had burst previously. This latest incident has left residents pleased with the eThekwini Municipality's swift response. The municipality has since repaired the pipeline and road, restoring access to the affected households. Mathios recorded a video clip of the burst pipeline, showing water gushing out and flowing down the road into a driveway.
eThekwini Ward 18 councillor Melanie Brauteseth confirmed that the water supply was restored to the area and that the roads department inspected and assessed the damage to the road. She sent three water tankers to the area while repairs to the pipeline were being undertaken. Brauteseth also confirmed that the pipeline had broken in August 2025, and residents were up in arms over the repeat burst.
Resident Mary van Wijk reported that municipal teams were filling up the potholes and sinkholes on Wednesday. She stated that a lot of the tarmac had washed away due to the force of the water, and municipal teams opened up sections of the road to allow residents entry to their driveways. However, driving on the road is restricted while repairs are underway. Van Wijk described the damage as considerable, despite the road being short.
The burst pipeline caused significant damage to residents' properties, including a driveway and a gate. Van Wijk praised the municipality's response, stating that they worked non-stop through the night to repair the pipeline. The municipality replaced the damaged section with a 600 mm steel pipeline, upgrading from the original 525 mm asbestos-cement pipe.
The eThekwini Municipality attended to the major burst on the water reticulation system, taking prompt action to minimize disruption to residents. The incident highlights the importance of maintaining and upgrading infrastructure to prevent such incidents. Residents are relieved that the pipeline has been repaired and access to their homes has been restored.
The incident is the latest in a series of water-related issues in the Durban area. Residents and local authorities are working together to address these challenges and prevent future incidents. The eThekwini Municipality's swift response has been praised by residents, who appreciate the efforts to minimize disruption and restore normalcy to the area.
Key points
- The eThekwini Municipality responded quickly to the burst pipeline, repairing the pipeline and road and restoring access to affected households.
- The incident caused significant damage to the road and residents' properties, highlighting the importance of maintaining and upgrading infrastructure.
- The pipeline had burst previously, in August 2025, and residents were frustrated with the repeat incident.
