Engineering Department

The City Engineers Service Unit is divided into six departments.

The Architectural department provides professional architectural guidance to the Council.

The return overlibinage and Coastal Engineering Department designs and implements coastal engineering and stormwater return overlibinage systems.

The Survey Department is responsible for land information in the Durban area.

The Human Resources department manages salaries and wages.

Roads department controls capital roads projects in the Durban area.

Traffic and Transportation plans transport and control services in the Durban area.

The prevailing current off Durban is the Southwards flowing Moçambique current. Between the current and the shore however is a north flowing current that deposits sand onto the beaches.

With the dredging of the harbour and the construction of a sand trap South of South Pier to prevent sand from blocking the harbour, there has been steady erosion of the beaches, exacerbated by the construction of Lower Marine Parade.

In order to counter this, a sand pumping scheme has been instituted to replace the estimated 280,000cum³ of sand that has been lost.

The section carries out geological testing, groundwater testing and the quality control of soil, concrete and asphalt together with a number of other functions.

It also compiles maps and databases of local geological conditions and ensures building plans agree with national regulations.

THe section is responsible for the provision, improvement and maintenance of roads in the Durban region.

The branch undertakes traffic surveys, monitoring flow, speed and density as well as the monitoring of road accidents. This information is required by other areas of traffic engineering.

The section uses an Area Traffic Control system to monitor faults on approximately 400 signals. In addition to locating blown lamps, power failures etc. the system allows the controller to vary the timings of the lights, reduce glare at night and configure the lights for use by emergency vehicles.

The centre operates through a Traffic Control Room that is is contact with the City Police and with 40 CCTV cameras in the CBD and 5 high resolution colour cameras on the beachfront.

A 'Water for All' scheme is currently underway to increase the supply of water in the Durban area. Approximately 54% of households are estimated to have a full water supply at present.