The Department of Water and Sanitation has issued a directive to uMngeni-uThukela Water to reduce its water abstraction from the system by 12% by May 2027. This move aims to protect water sources and address concerns over over-abstraction. The department warned that predicted El Niño conditions next year could compromise water supply. uMngeni-uThukela Water's biggest customer, eThekwini Municipality, has been largely blamed for the over-abstraction due to its high water usage.
The directive was necessitated by uMngeni-uThukela Water's continued failure to comply with licensed abstraction volumes despite several concessions and deferments granted since 2023. The Department of Water and Sanitation expressed concern that abstraction levels were exceeding authorised limits, posing a risk to the long-term sustainability of the uMngeni Water Supply System. The system supplies water to several municipalities, including eThekwini, which has been using more water than allocated.
Almost half of the water supplied by uMngeni-uThukela Water is classified as non-revenue water, which is unaccounted for due to leaks, water supplied by tankers, and standpipes. The department has requested uMngeni-uThukela Water to submit a detailed implementation plan within 30 days, outlining measures to achieve the required demand reductions and comply with licensed abstraction volumes. The plan should include time frames and key milestones.
The Pongola-Umzimkulu Catchment Management Agency (PUCMA) has also been involved in the directive, with its chairperson being informed of the situation. The agency is responsible for monitoring uMngeni-uThukela Water's implementation of the measures and assessing progress towards achieving compliance with the Water Use Licence conditions. PUCMA has issued a directive to uMngeni-uThukela Water, citing non-compliance with the National Water Act.
Sibusiso Makhanya, CEO of PUCMA, stated that the agency had considered available information and the history of non-compliance by uMngeni-uThukela Water. The agency believes that uMngeni-uThukela Water's conduct constitutes non-compliance with the National Water Act. The directive issued by PUCMA requires uMngeni-uThukela Water to implement measures to progressively reduce system demand with immediate effect.
uMngeni-uThukela Water spokesperson Siyabonga Maphumulo confirmed that the entity was aware of the directive to reduce abstraction volumes. He attributed the over-abstraction to a gradual increase in water-supply demand in areas supplied through the uMngeni River system. The entity aims to progressively reduce demand and non-revenue water in the reticulation system to protect available water resources.
The implementation of the measures will be crucial in ensuring the sustainable availability of water for all users. uMngeni-uThukela Water must operate the uMngeni Water Supply System strictly in accordance with the approved operating rules and expedite actions to commission and operate the Inanda Pump Station. Progress will be reported regularly to the Department of Water and Sanitation and PUCMA.
Key points
- uMngeni-uThukela Water must reduce system demand by 12% by May 2027.
- The directive aims to address concerns over over-abstraction and protect water sources.
- eThekwini Municipality has been largely blamed for the over-abstraction due to its high water usage.
