A team repairs a pipe on the South Coast uMlazi Bridge. Pipe repairs are among interventions to ensure a stable water supply in the City.

THE City will continue to work on various interventions to manage and reduce the increase in water demand that has resulted in the recurring disruption of water supply in most parts of eThekwini. To manage the demand and to build storage, the City has implemented rationing in many areas, especially in the Northern and Southern areas. 

The demand currently exceeds supply by approximately 100 megalitres a day, resulting in further strain on the system due to the current curtailment measures that were implemented by uMngeni-uThukela Water in October last year. To augment the water supply, comprehensive plans have been set in motion in collaboration with the national Department of Water and Sanitation and uMngeni-uThukela Water to construct and commission the uMkhomazi Dam, a pivotal project to augment water supply to the City. 

The Municipality is actively implementing various medium-term interventions including infrastructure upgrades, pipeline replacements, and a comprehensive leak detection and repair programme. The installation of pressure management valves, dysfunctional meter replacements, the incorporation of technology to enhance meter accuracy, and improvements in billing and debtor management are also being implemented. Currently, areas in the West of the City are experiencing intermittent supply due to the shutdown of the 53 Pipeline by uMngeni-uThukela Water. This was done to allow the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) to relocate approximately 200m of the 53 Pipeline as part of its N3 upgrade project. The shutdown came into effect on 27 January and the pipeline is expected to be back in operation on 27 February.