eThekwini Water Crisis: Mayor Kaunda Presents Plan Amid Ongoing Droughts and Infrastructure Woes

In an extensive media briefing attended today, eThekwini Mayor, Mxolisi Kaunda, presented an elaborate and determined action plan to tackle the significant water supply issues and infrastructure damages that have plagued areas in the north and south of Durban. This crisis has left several communities without tap water, some for close to 100 days.

Crucially outlined in the mayor's detailed address were immediate short-term interventions and expansive long-term strategies, devised with the goal of securing reliable and enduring water access for the over four million residents of the city. The water outages and non-availability of potable water have inflicted significant hardship on northern eThekwini residents throughout 2023, with the people of Verulam, specifically in Trenance Park, suffering without water for an alarming length of time.

Mayor Kaunda has recognized the challenges that stem from rapid urbanization, deteriorating infrastructure, and the dire consequences of vandalism that have overextended the city’s capacity to efficiently supply water to its inhabitants. He described recent floods aggravating the situation remarkably and sabotaged infrastructure as well, pleading with the community to safeguard the city's water installations.

The logistics of Kaunda's plan were meticulously covered—casting a spotlight on the South Region's key 24km Southern Aqueduct, set for repair within a 12-month timeline at an investment of R1.2 billion. This significant project is expected to enhance the water supply sustainability for areas including Chatsworth and uMlazi.

An upgrade worth R35 million has been designated for a fire-affected pump station in Ntuzuma, which currently functions at compromised capacity. Moreover, water quality challenges that have emerged at Hazelmere Water Works due to the recent rains are being addressed, with most repairs completed to reestablish the water supply to affected localities.

Kaunda identified issue-ridden locations such as Phoenix and Verulam, both constrained by difficulties with the Northern Aqueduct. Planned interventions enlist practical steps involving meticulous leak checks and adjustments in the bulk supply source to alleviate these issues. The strategy also encompasses holding community meetings aimed at directly addressing citizens' anxieties.

Interim solutions have been slated for oThongathi through an established alternate supply, acknowledging the urgent need for water in the community. Augmented attention is also going to the KwaXimba area, which is undergoing an upgrade of the trunk main to improve the water supply situation.

The eThekwini Mayor underscored the Upper Umkhomazi Dam construction as a cardinal long-term venture to counterbalance the pressing water inadequacies. Meanwhile, to grapple with pressing needs, eThekwini is amping up the proliferation of water tanker services and instigating borehole drilling, with a particular focus on rural communities. Additionally, two pioneering water reuse projects are in their trial phase.

Mayor Kaunda did not shy away from shedding light on the devastating impact of recent heavy rains, which inflicted infrastructure damage valued at R1.4 billion, including the loss of nine precious lives. Restoration efforts are underway for roads and other critical infrastructures, while electricity supply restoration is substantially complete.

As the press conference drew to a close, the Mayor expressed his deepest apologies for the massive inconvenience and hardship the water crisis has brought upon the residents of eThekwini. He assured the citizens of the administration's unwavering commitment to restore clean water access to every home in the community.

The Mayor also called for cooperation from the public and empathy for municipal workers labouring tirelessly against the odds.

In stark contrast, the Democratic Alliance’s spokesperson for Economic Development in KZN, Heinz De Boer, sharply criticized the ANC-led eThekwini municipality for the water outages. He claimed this has been a detrimental factor for businesses and ratepayers. He emphasized the plight of several economic sectors hit by almost two years of intermittent water availability issues and highlighted how the DA plans to address the municipality's critical shortcomings, should they be elected into power.

The DA's campaign intends to stir momentum with the upcoming meeting where they have proposed to dissolve the eThekwini council, scheduled for a vote on January 31, 2024.