ETHEKWINI NEWSFLASH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CITY CONTINUES TO IMPLEMENT KEY INTERVENTIONS TO STABILISE WATER SUPPLY
EThekwini Municipality wishes to provide residents with a factual update on water supply across the City.
While the City continues to face growing demand and infrastructure pressures, water supply remains stable across most regions that have infrastructure reticulation.
This is while targeted interventions are underway in certain areas experiencing intermittent supply.
The reality is that water demand continues to grow rapidly and is now outpacing available supply, largely due to increased urbanisation.
The system has also recently been placed under pressure due to extreme heat conditions which resulted in a significant increase in water demand across the City.
In addition, the Municipality had reduced input from its bulk water supplier, uMngeni-uThukela Water, which was experiencing algae-related challenges at Reservoir 2 of the Durban Heights Treatment Works.
Despite these pressures, the City continues to implement several interventions to maintain supply.
Key among these interventions is reducing non-revenue water. This includes large-scale water meter replacement, which is progressing well, and pressure management programmes.
Leak detection and repair as well as the removal of illegal connections that place additional strain on the network are also being prioritised.
The backlog of water leaks requiring repairs has also been significantly reduced.
The City is implementing several major projects to increase the resilience of the water distribution system, reduce the risk of breakdowns, and improve its ability to manage peak demand periods.
A key project is the R1.2 billion upgrade of the Southern Aqueduct, which will significantly improve water delivery to communities in the Central and South areas.
The project is nearing completion and consists of three work packages:
• Work Package 1 – scheduled for commissioning in April
• Work Package 3 – scheduled for commissioning in May
• Work Package 2 – scheduled for commissioning in June
Once completed, the upgraded 24-kilometre pipeline will strengthen the City’s bulk water supply capacity and improve service reliability.
Other major projects include:
• The upgrade of the Ntuzuma 2 Pumpstation which has been commissioned
• The upgrade of the Ogunjini Water Treatment Works, which will improve supply to communities including Osindisweni
• Major pipeline replacement currently underway in Phoenix to reduce recurring bursts and leaks and improve network reliability
REGIONAL WATER SUPPLY STATUS
Inner West - 98 percent supply
Water supply in the Inner West remains largely stable at approximately 98 percent.
However, intermittent supply continues to affect areas served by the Intake and Washington Reservoirs.
This situation will persist until the completion of the Southern Aqueduct upgrade, which is expected to significantly improve supply reliability in this area.
Outer West - 78 percent supply
Supply in the Outer West currently stands at approximately 78 percent. The City completed a 4 ML upgrade of the Mkhizwana Water Treatment Works to increase treatment capacity.
Additional capital projects are underway to reinstate river crossings that were washed away during the floods, with these projects currently at the design stage.
The Zwelibombu Reservoir area will receive more stable supply once the Western Aqueduct is fully commissioned.
This major bulk infrastructure project is expected to be completed by 2032.
In the interim, the City’s water planning teams are conducting feasibility studies to install a package treatment plant to strengthen local supply.
Central Region - 95 percent supply
The Central region currently has water supply coverage of approximately 95 percent, with most areas receiving stable supply.
South Region - 85 percent supply
Supply in the South currently stands at approximately 85 percent.
The upgrade of the Magabheni Reservoir has already been completed and now augments supply to the Umnini Reservoir zone and surrounding areas including Ehlanzeni.
The completion and commissioning of the Lower uMkhomazi Water Scheme in 2027 is expected to provide a long-term solution to water shortages affecting the southern corridor.
North Region - 85 percent supply
Water supply in the North region stands at approximately 85 percent.
The refurbishment of the Ntuzuma Pumpstation was completed in November 2025, restoring supply to areas with existing infrastructure.
Technical teams are currently addressing new pockets of disruption in Ntuzuma H, Richmond, and Lindelani, with dedicated teams working to restore correct pressure reducing valve (PRV) zones.
These interventions are expected to be completed by mid-March 2026.
Bulk supply remains limited in some northern communities including Umzinyathi, Amaotana, Mgangeni, Senzokuhle and Etafuleni.
To supplement supply in these areas, the City is drilling boreholes.
Increasing Water Supply Capacity
The Municipality is also implementing measures to increase available water supply.
In addition to the existing water reuse plant currently supplying treated water to industries through a public-private partnership, the City is in the process of procuring two additional water reuse plants.
These new plants will treat secondary effluent to produce potable water that meets required drinking water quality standards, thereby contributing additional supply to the municipal system.
The public is encouraged to play their part in reducing the risk of water supply disruptions.
All water users are encouraged to use water sparingly to reduce the average consumption of water per capita per day and to safeguard infrastructure against theft and vandalism.
ENDS
Issued by eThekwini Municipality’s Marketing and Communications Directorate
