A water rationing plan was implemented in eThekwini Municipality on 20 June in a quest to ensure a balanced and equal supply of water to all residents and businesses. This process has been implemented in the areas supplied by the Durban Heights Water Treatment Plant, which is operated and managed by uMgeni Water.

Water rationing was essential following the flood related damaged of two uMgeni Water aqueducts that delivers raw water from Nagle Dam to Durban Heights for treatment. This has caused inadequate water supply from uMgeni’s Water Treatment Plant to reservoirs that provide water to eThekwini areas.

A contractor to repair the two damaged aqueducts has been appointed with repairs already commencing. As the repairs require extensive work to restore functionality, the water rationing process will remain in place for the next 12 months until repairs are completed.

A task team has been established to monitor the operations. It meets daily to receive reports on progress, to oversee the progress made, and to institute interventions where required so that access to water is available and improved.

A service provider has also been appointed to drill 20 boreholes in areas affected by interrupted water supply. Around R15 million has been allocated to roll out the borehole project.

EThekwini Mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda apologised for any inconvenience caused by water rationing and appealed to residents to be patient while this process is underway. 

“The City is aware that there is a high demand for water and that this is a challenging time for residents and businesses. However, we appeal to consumers to be patient and to be cooperative during this time and use water sparingly,” he said.

Mayor Kaunda said the damage to the water infrastructure is extensive and beyond their control. As such, water rationing was necessary and the only possible option to ensure equitable access to water for all residents.
 
“The Municipality is working closely with uMgeni Water to monitor the situation and to ensure there are no discrepancies during the water rationing process,” he said.

Because water rationing is a planned event, water tankers will not be dispatched to cover the rationing period. Tankers will only be dispatched to areas experiencing water outages, as opposed to rationing.

The public is encouraged to continue reporting water leaks so they can be attended to speedily to minimise water losses. Residents are also cautioned against stockpiling water as this could collapse the already constrained system.

Information about water rationing is available on all Municipal platforms. The public is encouraged to visit the City’s social media platforms for regular updates.