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We are committed to safeguarding our city’s communities and natural heritage by managing flood risks, enhancing water quality, and protecting vital ecosystems. Through sustainable development oversight, we preserve and restore urban rivers, wetlands, and coastal zones-promoting their multifunctional use for ecological health, resilience, and public benefit. Our mission is to create a safer, cleaner, and more vibrant urban environment for current and future generations.

Why Manage Stormwater?

While nature has long maintained a delicate balance through rivers, wetlands, and floodplains, urbanization has disrupted this natural system. Paved surfaces, buildings, and altered landscapes have changed how water flows, leading to:

• Increase volume and speed of stormwater runoff
• More frequent and severe flooding
• Greater risk to life, property, and infrastructure 
• Degraded water quality in rivers, wetland, and coastal areas

Our Strategic Response

To address these challenges, we are aligning with Integrated Development Plan (IDP) objectives to:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive Stormwater Management System 
• Review services delivery models and explore alternative funding sources
• Create a flood risk profile and mitigation strategy for all properties
• Collaborative with the National Ports Authority (NPA) on the sand bypass scheme 
• Adopt Integrated Catchment Management to ensure holistic, sustainable planning     

EThekwini Flood Warning System (FEWS)

The eThekwini FEWS is a pioneering platform in Southern Africa designed to predict and respond to urban flooding cause by severe weather. It integrates real-time data from rainfall and river sensors with advanced forecasting and hydraulic models to simulate storm impact and identify high-risk zones. When critical flood thresholds are reached, the system automatically alerts emergency teams, enabling faster and more coordinated responses. This innovative approach enhances disaster preparedness and helps safeguard lives and property through timely flood warnings.

What we do

• We manage flood risks to houses, industrial and commercial properties.
• We strive to improve water quality in the city's rivers, vleis, wetlands and receiving coastal waters by managing and monitoring developments.
• We protect and enhance urban river corridors and wetlands as important natural features within the urban landscape.
• Promote multi-functional, sustainable use of river corridors and drainage systems.
• We maintain a suitable beach width.

Click here to see rainfall data.

Click here to view Wave Monitoring 

Why manage stormwater at all?

• Nature seems to have done a good job for millions of years with a well designed network of streams and rivers of just the right capacity
• Due to Urbanization – human intervention:
• Changes in stormwater runoff characteristics
• Increased volume and rate of runoff
• More frequent flooding
• Risk to life and property

IDP Objectives and Targets

• Develop & implement a Stormwater Management System.
• Review service delivery mechanisms & alternative funding sources.
• Develop a flood risk profile and mitigation strategy for all properties within the entire municipality.
• Pursue sand bypass scheme with NPA.
• Integrated Catchment Management

Integrated Development Plans (IDP’s) that will guide the development of our city so that all services are provided in a co-ordinated way, considering all aspects of peoples lives. Read more on IDP…

Challenges for Delivery

• Recruitment of suitably skilled personnel.
• Funding needs.
• Balancing contractor development and delivery.
• Backlogs in excess of R160 million.
• Information backlogs of R11 million.

The National Ports Authority (NPA) is spearheading many development projects to ensure the port of Durban retains its status as Africa’s premier port.

The Port of Durban is situated on the East coast of Africa,680 nautical miles north-east of Cape Agulhas.  Longitude & Latitude, Lat:29 ° 52’ S Long:31 ° 02’ E

Deputy Head: Randeer Kasserchun PrEng. 

Tel: 031 311 7338
Fax: 031 311 7840

Email: Randeer.Kasserchun@durban.gov.za

Location: Room 527, 166 K.E. Masinga Road (previously Old Fort Road), Durban

Postal Address: Engineering Unit, P.O. Box 680, Durban, 4000

For Information on:
FAULT REPORTING HOTLINE – ALL SERVICES: 080 131 3013 or Eservices@durban.gov.za

• Sand Pumping, Lower-Level Groynes, Beach Restoration: 031 3117338 / 031 3117007
• Coastal Issues, Flooding, Canalization, Beaches, Estuaries: 031 311 7338
• Design of Stowmwater features: 031 311 7338
• GIS related queries for this department: 031 311 7264
• For afterhours enquiries contact: 0801 313 013

Senior Manager: Mr Mzwandile Gumbi

Tel: 031 311 7523

Email: Mzwandile.gumbi@durban.gov.za

Manager: Mr. G.F Vella +27 311 7256

Mr. G.F. Vella

Tel: +27 311 7256

Email: vellag@durban.gov.za

The work done by this branch covers three separate areas of hydraulic engineering. Firstly, river works including both hydraulic studies to predict river flood levels as well as capital projects in the form of flood and erosion control measures. Secondly, coastal zone management including both engineering structures and soft engineering in consultation with the Environment Branch. Lastly, the branch controls the design aspects of the municipal pool filtration plants.

Sand Pumping Scheme

Durban Lower Level Groynes Project

Durban Beach Restoration Scheme

View Wave Monitoring

Durban has reliable wave data from 1992. The City of Durban used to rely on TNPA for wave data but in 2010 deployed their own Waverider buoy. The wave data is used for the design of coastal structures as well as risk analysis studies. To view Durban’s real time wave data Click here

History of the Umhlanga Promenade Pier Project

Manager: Mr. G.F. Vella +27 311 7256

Mr. G.F. Vella

Tel: +27 311 7256

Email: vellag@durban.gov.za

The branch is responsible for the design and project management of projects including:

• Culverts
• Standard Drawings (Please click here to view Stormwater Design Drawings)
• Stormwater pipes
• Detention facilities

Structural maintenance of stormwater systems as follows:

- Pipes

- Stormwater inlets

Manager: Mr Greg Williams

Tel: 031 - 311 7960

Email: Gregory.Williams@durban.gov.za 

What is Catchment Management?

Catchment management aims to effectively and efficiently manage naturally occurring water within catchment areas by managing or accounting for all aspects of the hydrological cycle. (A catchment is the area or region which 'catches' the rainfall runoff flows with reference to a point on a river or drainage system.) Catchment management also aims to achieve a balance between resource protection and resource utilization.

How do we aim to manage our catchments?

The Catchment Management section of the Coastal, Stormwater and Catchment Management (CSCM) Department follows a sustainable and holistic approach to catchment management which includes:

• Liaison with Catchment Management Agencies
• Assisting with co-ordination of Catchment Management within eThekwini Municipality

Design of river works

- We work towards promoting engineering “best practice” standards that enhances flood control functions as well as ecosystem functionality. The installation of gabion baskets is one such example.

Gabion baskets not only stabilises the river embankment and prevents damage to property and infrastructure but also protects against erosion and offers an opportunity for ground cover vegetation to re-establish.

Subdivisional approval for Developers/Consultants in respect of floodlines and increased runoff

-  All flood attenuation facilities shall be designed in accordance with the following criteria:

Existing drainage courses shall be preserved. Development within the 1 in 10 year floodline need to comply with requirements set out in the National Water Act (NWA) and the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA).

All flood attenuation facilities shall be designed to provide control for the 1:10, 1:50 and 1:100-year flood.

Unless otherwise specified, local detention should be provided to control on-site runoff.

Off-site runoff from upstream drainage areas shall be diverted around any proposed detention facility or the detention facility shall be designed to control the off-site runoff as if it were on-site runoff.

Flood attenuation storage volume shall be provided to reduce the peak discharge rate for developed site conditions to the peak discharge rate for pre-development site conditions. Pre-development site conditions are defined as undisturbed natural conditions.    

Drainage facilities shall incorporate design features to minimize, maintain, and enhance the physical aesthetics of the site. Design features may include proposed grading that mimics or improves the existing site profile and use of construction materials that visually integrate with the ambient environmental textures and patterns.

Properties served by an existing detention facility may only utilize the existing facility if the following conditions are met:

• Calculations shall be provided that show that the facility is adequate to mitigate the runoff from the property.
• Calculations shall be provided that show that the drainage system between the property and the facility is adequate to convey the runoff from the property.

Floodline preparation

-  Preparation of floodlines serves as a tool for planning and management of flood impacts. It allows for developments along rivers and within the 1:100yr floodline to be managed.

In complying with the National Water Act (Act No 36 of 1998), the eThekwini Municipality requires that all new developments, or extensions to the existing properties, provide information relating to the 50yr and 100yr flood. This includes the requirement that the 100 year floodline be indicated on plans for new township developments.

Education of the public with regard to catchment management

-  CSCM recognizes the importance of communities in catchment management in particular with regards to stormwater systems and rivers.

As part of our holistic approach to catchment management, the Catchment Management section will:

• Develop and co-ordinate education and communication strategies to communicate and increase awareness of relevant catchment management issues.
• Create an awareness of stormwater systems and their purpose.
• Encourage and promote efficient, effective and productive use of water resources through education and awareness campaigns.
• Encourage activities that contribute to improved water quality that is more suitable for sustaining aquatic ecosystems and human uses.
• Assisting the public
• Investigating and addressing stormwater complaints such as erosion and flooding.

Complaints can be lodged at:

City Engineers

Coastal, Stormwater & Catchment Management

5th Floor

Room 527

166 K. E. Masinga (Formerly Old Fort Road)

Durban

4001

Tel:  031 311 7338

Manager: Mr. Geoff Tooley

Tel: +27 31 311 7271

Email: tooleyg@durban.gov.za

The department focuses on:

• Collection of rain and stream gauge data

- Click here to see rainfall data

• Maintenance of Stormwater Management System
• Customer information service
• GIS related activities with respect to stormwater infrastructure
• Database management
• Research and development
• Technical support for Disaster Management

Administration for the department

Manager: G Smith

Tel: 031 311 7264

Fax: 031 311 7840

Cell: 071 856 3071

Email: Gerrard.Smith@durban.gov.za

Question

I am flooded by runoff emanating from my neighbour’s yard which is located above my house. What can I do?

Answer

Legally the higher property could be required to institute some stormwater management to reduce the rate of runoff from the property. The higher lying property should not concentrate his stormwater runoff onto the lower property. However, low laying properties must also accept and allow for the natural stormwater runoffs from a higher property as per regulation R of SANS 10400.

The complainant can request assistance from the Building Inspectorate to help resolve the problem.

Question

My walls are damp because of ground water. What should I do? 

Answer

Groundwater is a naturally occurring phenomenon which may require the installation of subsoil drains to divert groundwater away from the affected sections of the building. The complainant may possibly need to employ a qualified geotechnical person to provide advice on how to resolve the problem. If the groundwater problem is not limited to recent storms then it is possible that it may be a leaking water connection or in extreme cases a leak from the municipal watermain which should be investigated.

Question

The river is eroding my yard and my house is at risk of falling into the river. What should I do, and which department should I contact? Or

The River is flowing within my property and is causing erosion. Can you assist me?

Answer

Please provide us with your contact details and address and we will assign a technician to do a site visit and assess the damage and its causes. Generally, the issue of a stream running through a private property is the responsibility of the owner or developer to deal with. However, if municipal services such as a council sewer or stormwater line are affected, then the municipality would need to safeguard those services. 

Question

There is a storm water pipe within my yard and the river is now eroding the yard, I worry that the pipe will now fall into the stream as it is no longer supported.

Answer

Please provide us with your contact details and address and we will assign a technician to do a site visit and assess the damage and attend to the municipal service.

Generally, the issue of a stream running through a private property is the responsibility of the owner or developer to deal with. However, if municipal services such as a council sewer or stormwater line are affected, then the municipality would need to safeguard those services.

Question

Does your Department handle the sewer as well?

Answer

No, This Unit is only responsible for stormwater maintenance and provision and not sewer. The Water and Sanitation Unit handles sewer issues and they can be contacted on one of the numbers below:

Helpline: 031-311 8804

Question?

Whom do we contact?

Answer

Engineering Services Centre: 0801 313 013 (Toll free) 

Water Account queries.

Email: eservices@dmws.durban.gov.za 

Sms no: 0837073013

Fax no: 031 3118220

Thank you for visiting our site.

Enquiries: Tel no :031- 311 7338

Email: Karen.Ronne@durban.gov.za

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