DURBAN – The Department of Water and Sanitation has ordered eThekwini to stop extracting water above its licensed limits after the city failed to cut water consumption enough. The non-governmental organisation WaterCAN says city leadership should face consequences rather than ordinary residents.
The department has granted the city repeated concessions since 2023, but eThekwini Municipality’s neglect of the region’s water security now threatens large parts of KwaZulu-Natal.
City fails to meet reduction targets
In a letter to eThekwini mayor Cyril Xaba, Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina said the required reduction in water use promised in August 2025 – a cut of 1% per month over eight months – was not achieved.
The department warned that continued water extraction above licensed limits raises the risk of severe restrictions and possible system breakdowns in the region’s water supply network.
Infrastructure collapse drives crisis
The department’s decision comes amid serious problems with the city’s water system and heavy reliance on water tankers. According to the department, the core of the crisis is the city’s inability to maintain and repair its water infrastructure.
One reason for the decision was that allowing the city to continue excessive water extraction could raise the risk profile in the region further, given the predicted strong El Niño phenomenon expected to last until the end of the 2026/27 summer season.
The city also cannot fix water leaks and other problems because of a shortage of plumbers, vehicles and other essential resources. According to the department, 55.6% of water entering eThekwini’s water system does not generate revenue for the municipality, partly because of water leaks and problems with the city’s infrastructure.
According to the department, unresolved water faults increased from 744 in November 2025 to 14 776 by May 2026. This has seriously undermined efforts to reduce water losses and demand for water.
Delays in appointing external plumbing contractors have also hampered the repair of leaks and other measures to reduce non-revenue generating water.
Poorest communities face worst impact
Dr Ferrial Adam, executive director of WaterCAN, said although the organisation supports the department’s action in principle, the communities likely to be hardest hit will be those in informal settlements and poor and rural areas.
WaterCAN also referred to the recent death of a person in eThekwini during an incident with a municipal water tanker. According to Adam, this incident highlights the possible consequences of communities’ dependence on water tanker services amid water shortages.
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NGO demands accountability
WaterCAN is calling for an investigation into eThekwini’s water management and for responsible officials to be held accountable.
WaterCAN demands the following action:
The city’s water and sanitation unit must be investigated by the Department of Water and Sanitation and/or other agencies such as the Auditor-General and the Special Investigating Unit.
The city must disclose all current and historical costs linked to municipal and privately operated water tanker services.
The Department of Water and Sanitation must institute punitive measures against the responsible leadership of the city and hold individuals accountable.
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