uMngeni-uThukela Water Board Enforces Water Curtailment in eThekwini Municipality

The water board must now limit its water abstraction to its licensed volume of 470 million megalitres per annum, a reduction of 8.4% from current levels.

The uMngeni-uThukela Water Board has initiated water curtailment across the eThekwini Municipality, effective immediately, to reduce water abstraction from the uMngeni system. This decision comes after a joint announcement by eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba and the Water Board, in response to a directive from the Department of Water and Sanitation. The water board must now limit its water abstraction to its licensed volume of 470 million megalitres per annum, a reduction of 8.4% from current levels.

Mayor Cyril Xaba clarified that this curtailment aims to maintain water availability, particularly during periods of below-average rainfall, and avoid future drought-induced shortages. Unlike water shedding, the process will not involve scheduled cuts, but will instead focus on reducing overall consumption in a controlled manner.

Xaba stressed that water consumption in eThekwini remains unsustainably high, ranging from 270 to 298 litres per capita daily, far exceeding the international average of 173 litres. The mayor urged both residents and businesses to cooperate by conserving water, pointing to factors like rapid urbanisation, ageing infrastructure, and illegal connections as contributors to the current high demand.

The water curtailment is expected to last 12 months, during which various interventions will be implemented, including:

Installation of water restrictors on consumer water meters.Pressure reduction across the municipal water network.

Metering for previously unmetered consumers.

Improved repair response times for leaks and pipe bursts via ward-based plumbers.

Community education on water conservation.

Disconnection of illegal water connections.

This initiative is part of broader efforts to manage eThekwini's high water consumption and ensure long-term availability of water resources amid growing challenges.