EThekwini Municipality clarifies responsibility for drainage systems on private property
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Date: 2025-03-14 16:11:32

EThekwini Municipality clarifies responsibility for drainage systems on private property

ETHEKWINI NEWSFLASH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
14 MARCH 2025
 
ETHEKWINI MUNICIPALITY CLARIFIES RESPONSIBILITY FOR DRAINAGE SYSTEMS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY
 
EThekwini Municipality wishes to clarify that drainage systems within malls or any private property are the responsibility of the property owner. 
 
This includes ensuring proper stormwater management as part of the building plan approval process.
 
The Municipality is only responsible for public stormwater infrastructure. 
 
Currently, there is no evidence that the flooding at a local mall was caused by a failure or blockage in the City’s drainage system.
 
Flooding during storms is primarily influenced by the intensity of rainfall, the capacity of drainage systems, and debris carried by stormwater. 
 
In eThekwini, stormwater systems are designed to handle a 1-in-10-year storm event at critical points and a 1-in-3-year storm event in non-critical areas. 
 
Large canals and river protection works are built to withstand 1-in-50 or 1-in-100-year storm events.
 
Over the past decade, the City has experienced an increasing frequency of severe floods. 
 
To mitigate risks and protect lives and infrastructure, the Municipality has implemented strategic interventions, including the Forecast Early Warning System (FEWS).
 
This system provides three days' advance notice of major storm events and is used by stakeholders such as the South African Weather Services, National and Provincial Disaster Management, the University of KwaZulu-Natal and the Durban University of Technology.
 
In March last year, the Municipality received R1.5 billion in disaster reconstruction and recovery funding. 
 
This was distributed across three infrastructure units: Engineering, Water and Sanitation, and Human Settlements.
 
For roads and stormwater infrastructure repairs, R1.2 billion was allocated to the Engineering Unit. 
 
To date, over 455 projects have been completed.
 
Key ongoing infrastructure repair projects include the Hunslett Road Bridge in Phoenix Industrial Park, Coedmore Bridge in Yellowwood Park, Blundell Road Bridge in Queensburgh, and Umhlathuzana Bridge in Tshelimnyama. 
 
Additional projects include Mathwebula Road and Street 108 in uMlazi.
 
These projects were implemented across the City, including in uMdloti.
 
The City remains committed to strengthening its stormwater infrastructure and disaster preparedness to better protect residents and businesses from future extreme weather events.
 
ENDS
Issued by eThekwini Municipality’s Communications Unit.