The eThekwini Municipality insists that water supply remains stable across most regions of the municipality, and targeted interventions are underway in areas experiencing intermittent supply.
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The eThekwini Municipality says that water supply remains stable across most regions of the municipality and targeted interventions are underway in areas experiencing intermittent supply.
The municipality however said 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.
It said despite these pressures, the City continues to implement several interventions to maintain supply including reducing non-revenue water.
The City's response comes after scathing criticism from Yogis Govender, DA eThekwini EXCO member who said in a statement that the municipality is losing an enormous proportion of treated water to leaks, bursts and illegal connections, and those losses are being papered over with costly, ineffective stopgap measures.
“Millions of litres are wasted daily, while households go without safe water for days. The result is contaminated storage, ruined livelihoods, closed classrooms, and a mounting public-health threat.”
She added that leaks were not being fixed timeously, as claimed by the City.
In response the City said 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.”
- R1.2 billion upgrade of the Southern Aqueduct, which will significantly improve water delivery to communities in the Central and South areas
- 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.
The municipality provided the following breakdown:
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.
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