The City’s efforts to address water challenges that impact negatively on businesses and the economy were commended by businesses and ratepayers associations at an engagement with eThekwini Mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda. The engagement was held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre on 24 March.

 

Over R280 million has been invested by the Municipality in various projects aimed at addressing water challenges around the City.

 

The Mayor’s engagement formed part of National Water Week which runs from 21 to 27 March. It intended to leverage working relationships between the Municipality, businesses and the ratepayers associations to find lasting solutions to water challenges faced by the City.

 

Mayor Kaunda said eThekwini is one of the many municipalities bearing the brunt of growing water issues. “For this reason, the City has invested over R280 million to replace watermains to increase water supply. We have also set aside billions of rands to upgrade our water reservoirs and to build new dams over the next three years,” he said.

 

He added that the effects of old infrastructure, theft of water through illegal connections and the vandalism of water infrastructure put more strain on the City. “Through these growing challenges, there is constant interruption of water supply in many areas and the City is losing 54 percent of water daily.”

 

The Mayor stressed that these constant challenges make it hard for the City to attract investors. To address these challenges, innovative ways to prevent water losses using technology have been developed, he said. “Some of these initiatives include the introduction of smart meters which are also going to address the City’s billing system,” explained Mayor Kaunda.

 

Chief Growth Officer of the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry Zanele Khomo said the engagement was significant for the business sector. “The collaboration between the business sector and the Municipality is crucial as the business sector brings diverse resources to finding water solutions,” she said.

 

She added that the business sector is looking forward to working with the City in the upcoming projects that will address water challenges and attract more investment.

 

ENDS

 

Issued by the eThekwini Municipality’s Communications Unit.