One area in South Africa has not had water for a year

A ward in KwaZulu-Natal has been without water for a year as South Africa’s water crisis continues to loom, with over 200 of the country’s water supply systems in critical condition.

In a recent Parliamentary question, MK member Khayelihle Blessing Madlala asked the Water and Sanitation Minister about Ward 45 under the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality.

In his question, Madlala revealed that this ward has been without water since last year, and Wards 2 and 3 under the same municipality do not have access to clean water.

Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina responded that the eThekwini Municipality, which comprises Durban and some surrounding areas, is the Water Services Authority and is responsible for providing water in that municipality. 

She said the municipality commenced the upgrade of the Ntuzuma 2 pump station in April 2024, but this will only be completed in November 2025. 

She added that the municipality will also prioritise upgrading Ntuzuma 7 pumps, which will restore supply in the Lindelani areas.

Regarding Ward 2, she said the municipality has completed the upgrade of a dedicated trunk main from Bothas Hill reservoir to Kwanyuswa and that water supply has been restored in all areas of Kwanyuswa. 

In Ward 3, the eThekwini Municipality completed the upgrade of the Mkhizwana Water Treatment Works and restored the area’s water supply. 

“However, it should be noted that due to infrastructure damage in the area, some zones will take a while to restore, i.e. Upper Maphephetheni, Mgezanyoni and Mlahlanja areas where repairs to washaways of the trunk main are still underway,” she said.

Majodina said her department is providing assistance through the augmentation of bulk water in the Mgeni Water Supply System. 

The problems in these wards reflect challenges faced across the country, as South Africa’s crumbling water infrastructure has led to major problems for the country’s water supply.

City Press reported in September that South Africa faces worsening water supply problems due to rising municipal debt and failing infrastructure, citing Deputy Water and Sanitation Minister David Mahlobo.

Mahlobo told the publication that several of the nation’s water agencies “will never make it to next March if these debts are not paid” and may close down.

“In our case, they are owing the water boards because water boards give them the bulk water supply.” He added that the debt owed is above R23 billion.

However, the problem runs deeper than financial troubles, as South Africa’s water infrastructure is also rapidly deteriorating, with experts estimating that around R1 trillion is needed to avert a complete collapse.

The Department of Water and Sanitation’s Blue Drop report revealed alarming statistics regarding wastewater processing in South Africa. 

The report showed that 68% of South African wastewater facilities are performing at inadequate levels, releasing millions of litres of unsafe water into rivers. 

This has resulted in 46% of the country’s water being undrinkable as it is not safe for human consumption and would need to be boiled prior to use. 

The report further showed that nearly 30% of all water systems are in a critical state requiring urgent intervention. This is an increase of 103 systems from 2014 to 277 in critical condition. 

“Critical condition” in this context means these systems require urgent intervention for all aspects of the water service business. 

South Africa produces around 7 billion litres of wastewater a day. If this is not treated properly, large amounts of untreated wastewater are expelled into the country’s river systems, increasing the bacteria present in key water catchment areas. 

As a result, there have been numerous outbreaks of cholera and E.coli in parts of South Africa, ranging from Hammanskraal in Gauteng to Durban. 

Wastewater treatment is particularly important in South Africa, a water-scarce country. Climate specialist Professor David Walwyn said it relies heavily on reticulation to meet growing demand. 

“We are rapidly approaching a point at which the total rainfall in South Africa is insufficient to meet demand,” Walwyn said. 

“If everyone were to have adequate access to the resources, there would not be enough resources to meet the current demand.”

By 2030, he estimates the supply deficit will reach around 17%.

Water scientist Dr Anthony Turton has placed the blame for this squarely on institutional failure at the municipal level. 

“Let the facts speak for themselves. The ANC has been in power for over a quarter of a century. The population has doubled, so what have they done about upgrading infrastructure? To blame something else is disingenuous,” Turton said. 

“The simple fact of the matter is that your infrastructure has deteriorated, and your institutions have failed. That is the important thing. Institutional failure is far more significant than ageing infrastructure.”