eThekwini Municipality faces water losses amid infrastructure challenges
" South Africa is grappling with a severe water crisis, prompting the government to impose personal liability on municipal managers. With over R156 billion allocated for water and sanitation improvements, the situation remains critical as municipalities struggle with infrastructure failures and rising water demand.
The eThekwini Municipality in South Africa is grappling with significant water losses, despite substantial investments in grants and subsidies. Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister David Mahlobo revealed that over R156 billion has been allocated for water and sanitation improvements over the next three years. However, the municipality is experiencing water losses exceeding 65%, with approximately 13,000 leaks reported across the city.
Former contractors of the municipality have expressed dissatisfaction with the new plumbing service procurement process, insisting on direct contracts rather than subcontracting. The municipality has also noted a tripling of reported sewer faults to 2,368 in January 2026, up from 850 in December 2025. Despite completing an Annual Operating Analysis of the uMngeni, North Coast, and South Coast water supply systems in KwaZulu-Natal, the municipality halted restrictions on water extraction at several KZN municipalities.
The uMgeni Water Supply System began the year at a storage level of 99.5%, effectively full. eThekwini's Water Turnaround Strategy, part of Metro Trading Services Reforms, has not impacted efforts to reduce non-revenue water and sewer spills. Johannesburg Water is implementing smart technology, including smart pressure controllers and leak detection sensors, to manage pressure more effectively and reduce water losses.
Written by urgent.news from IOL's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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