eThekwini, South Africa — In a decisive move to future-proof urban water resilience, the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality is accelerating a suite of high-value infrastructure initiatives designed to secure reliable water access for residents across greater Durban.
At the heart of this strategy is the Lower uMkhomazi Bulk Water Supply Scheme, now advancing into its second phase with an investment of R11 billion. This comprehensive project encompasses a new storage dam, raw water abstraction infrastructure, and a modern treatment facility. Once operational, the scheme will generate 100 megalitres of treated water daily, with 75 megalitres earmarked specifically for eThekwini’s distribution network.
According to Mayor Cyril Xaba, this allocation will fully service southern corridors—from Isipingo through to uMkhomazi—freeing up existing supply to be rerouted toward central, northern, and outer western suburbs. “This strategic redistribution is key to balancing demand and reinforcing system-wide stability,” Mayor Xaba explained during a recent media briefing.
The project’s initial phase concentrated on raw water infrastructure, notably the Ngwadini and Goodenough systems. Phase 2 shifts focus to potable water delivery, featuring a 100 ML/day treatment plant, gravity-fed pipeline networks, and expanded reservoir storage. While legal proceedings previously slowed momentum, the appointed contractor has now been onboarded, and Umgeni-uThukela Water has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering water from the scheme by late 2027.
Coordinated Governance Driving Progress
A dedicated Presidential eThekwini Working Group continues to spearhead infrastructure coordination, fostering alignment between national, provincial, and municipal entities. This collaborative framework has already yielded tangible results: for the first time in five years, the city’s major bulk reservoirs maintained stable levels throughout the recent festive period. Treatment facilities at Durban Heights, Wiggins, and Midmar operated at full capacity, enabling uninterrupted supply across northern, central, and southern communities—a trend that has persisted into the new year.
Key enablers of this improved performance include targeted investments in the Northern Aqueduct and the comprehensive refurbishment of the Ntuzuma Pump Station, both of which have significantly enhanced supply reliability in northern suburbs.
Southern Aqueduct: A Critical Upgrade for 1.2 Million Residents
Parallel efforts are advancing on the R1.2 billion Southern Aqueduct Project, a 24-kilometre bulk pipeline initiative replacing a seven-decade-old, 900mm concrete main with a modern 1,200mm steel pipeline. This upgrade is pivotal for stabilising pressure and flow from Durban’s central business district to southern neighbourhoods.
The system serves approximately 1.2 million residents through a network of 33 reservoirs and represents one of the municipality’s most strategically important interventions to reduce non-revenue water losses and strengthen service delivery.
Mayor Xaba expressed confidence that the Southern Aqueduct upgrade will reach completion by December 2026. “Multiple work packages are already behind us,” he noted. “This project will bring substantial, lasting relief to communities across southern Durban.”
Project Milestones and Current Status
- Work Package One has been successfully commissioned, featuring roughly four kilometres of new steel pipeline that links the Westcliff Reservoir, Chatsworth Reservoir 1, and downstream storage facilities in Umlazi.
- Work Package Three remains on schedule for commissioning by the end of May 2026.
- On Northbourne Road in Westville, preparatory work for the concrete pipeline section is underway, with pipe installation set to commence on 27 May 2026.
Due to necessary system shutdowns and tie-in operations, temporary emergency water rationing was implemented in affected zones and is expected to remain in place until 27 May 2026. Minor delays in early preparatory stages were attributed to the complex relocation of fibre-optic and electrical utilities within the construction corridor.
Looking Ahead
As these multi-faceted projects progress, the eThekwini Municipality underscores its commitment to transparent communication and stakeholder engagement. With coordinated governance, strategic capital investment, and phased infrastructure delivery, the city is laying the groundwork for a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable water future for all residents.
