eThekwini Municipality is facing significant challenges with its water infrastructure, with over half of the treated water being lost before it reaches paying customers. The municipality recorded 58.7% non-revenue water in its latest financial year. Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation Dr Jack Bloom highlighted the urgent need to overhaul the City's ageing water infrastructure. This issue was discussed at a workshop on the 2026 Strategic Framework for Water and Sanitation Services.
The scale of eThekwini's infrastructure problems is further highlighted by a backlog of about 13 000 leaks, sewage spills, and flood damage that have remained unrepaired for years. Dr Bloom noted that having a water connection does not necessarily mean residents have reliable access to water. During his visit to eThekwini last month, he observed residents without tap water for years and a significant backlog of unrepaired infrastructure.
The new 2026 Strategic Framework for Water and Sanitation Services aims to shift the focus from simply providing access to water and sanitation to ensuring reliable services. The framework sets a target of reducing national non-revenue water to below 25% by 2035. It requires Water Services Authorities to renew at least 10% of high-risk ageing infrastructure annually, with at least 30% of end-of-life pipelines, pumps, and process units replaced by 2035.
The framework also targets the installation of smart meters in 80% of urban households by 2032. Additionally, climate-risk assessments and adaptation measures will become mandatory. Digital asset registers and open reporting will also be required as the government seeks to improve the monitoring and maintenance of water infrastructure.
Dr Bloom emphasized that government grants should fund repairs and infrastructure renewal, rather than focusing mainly on new projects. The framework proposes legislation for an independent economic and water services regulator by 2029. The ultimate measure of the new framework will be whether people experience functioning, safe, and reliable water and sanitation services.
Nationally, more than two million households still use unventilated pit toilets, with one in five of those households in KwaZulu-Natal. The framework aims for all schools and clinics to have adequate and safe water and sanitation by 2035. It also targets the implementation of the free basic water and sanitation policy by all Water Services Authorities by the same year.
The government is targeting R108 billion in additional water-services infrastructure investment in the eight metros by 2031. This investment comprises R54 billion in Treasury performance incentives and an equal amount in metro self-financing. The implementation of these plans will be crucial in addressing the water infrastructure challenges faced by eThekwini Municipality and other areas in South Africa.
Key points
- eThekwini Municipality loses over half of its treated water due to ageing infrastructure.
- The 2026 Strategic Framework for Water and Sanitation Services aims to reduce national non-revenue water to below 25% by 2035.
- The government is targeting R108 billion in additional water-services infrastructure investment in the eight metros by 2031.
