Parliamentary Inquiry Sought Over Durban's Water Crisis

In the bustling metro of Durban, the reality of dry taps and long waits for water delivery has become an acute issue for residents of communities such as Parkgate and Phoenix. The Democratic Alliance (DA), through its Shadow Minister of Water and Sanitation, Leon Basson, is making a call for Parliament to intervene by instigating a thorough inquiry into the water situation within the eThekwini Municipality.

A crisis that has escalated into public protests by these communities forced Basson and fellow DA leaders to seek answers and solutions. After meeting with officials from the water utility, Umngeni-Uthukela Water, it was disclosed that the eThekwini Municipality's failing water infrastructure could have a domino effect, putting the water supply for the entire KwaZulu-Natal province at risk.

Umngeni-Uthukela Water, as the single largest water supplier to eThekwini, identified the municipality as a growing liability. The observation was alarming, given that any collapse of eThekwini's water system directly threatens the utility's operation and stability. Yet, the water board spokesperson, Siyabonga Maphumulo, reported that the Hazelmere Water Treatment plant project had been successfully completed, elevating its capacity from 55 to 75 million liters a day at a substantial investment of R135 million. This bolstered capacity, expected to see further upgrades, starkly contrasts the water scarcity experienced daily by residents and businesses.

The distress communicated by the citizens has impelled Basson to call upon the Portfolio Committee for Water and Sanitation for a more formidable response—a parliamentary inquiry. The objective is to dissect the underlying issues causing the disparity between the apparent sufficiency in water supply and the stark reality of residents.

The municipality has not been indifferent to these calls, with Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda expressing determination in addressing the water supply disruptions. An undertaking to rectify and maintain essential water infrastructure is indeed in progress. Kaunda indicated that with ongoing tests and repairs, particularly on the Northern Aqueduct, water service is anticipated to be restored in the affected areas by mid-February—offering a glimmer of hope for residents whose patience has been sorely tried.

For Durban's populace, the outcome of the proposed parliamentary inquiry could mean a shift from frustration to much-needed relief. It's the potential revealing of systemic inefficiencies and the implementation of concrete solutions. With the parliamentary inquiry on the horizon, there is a collective anticipation that transparency and accountability may lead to a future where water, as a basic human right, is reliably accessible to all in Durban's reaches.