The eThekwini Municipality needs R77.9 million to finish major sewer pipe rehab projects, and a dual sanitation master plan is being created to guide future infrastructure development.

The municipality stated that the number of functional pump stations has increased to 226, with targeted repairs continuing to restore full operational capacity, and that collaborative efforts with Eskom and municipal electricity teams are under way to restore power at vandalised pump stations.

Additionally, sewer fault response times have also improved, with 89% of blockages being attended to within 24 hours.

During an Executive Committee (EXCO) meeting on Tuesday, the municipality announced that it has completed over a dozen major sewer pipe rehabilitation projects in areas such as Umlazi, Pinetown, Tongaat, and Cowies Hill Park.

Despite this progress, funding is required to complete other ongoing repairs.

At the meeting, the eThekwini Water and Sanitation Directorate stated that they were restoring and improving sanitation infrastructure across the city, following extensive damage caused by recent floods and ongoing operational challenges.

The municipality stated that Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTWs) compliance rose to 74.4% in August 2025, up from 70.8% in July 2024, reflecting progress in environmental standards. However, the volume of effluent received at WWTWs remains below the 100% target, averaging only 62% in August 2025.

“Vandalism and power outages continue to pose serious challenges at pump stations, prompting coordinated efforts to restore functionality and secure vulnerable sites. Environmental compliance has shown marked improvement, with several treatment works, including Cato Ridge and Central, achieving full Green Drop compliance,” it said. 

The municipality’s strategic interventions are being rolled out to address persistent blockages and infrastructure failures. These include the deployment of area-specific jetting machines, CCTV diagnostics, emergency tenders, and contractor appointments to accelerate pipe repairs and reticulation upgrades. 

eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba said that the Operation and Maintenance (O&M) agreement with uMngeni-uThukela Water (UUW) and the Water and Sanitation Directorate has become a cornerstone in modernising eThekwini’s wastewater systems.

Xaba said through this partnership, UUW has operated and maintained 10 of the city’s largest WWTWs, responsible for processing 90% of municipal sewage.

The agreement was designed to elevate service standards, ensure compliance with discharge licences, and protect the city’s rivers and coastline from pollution, while also improving water quality and building long-term operational resilience.

Xaba stated that this partnership represents more than just a contractual arrangement.

“It is a shared commitment to environmental stewardship, public health, and economic development. Through collaboration, innovation, and accountability, eThekwini is laying the foundation for a cleaner, safer, and more resilient future,” he said.

According to the municipality, facilities such as KwaMashu and the Northern WWTW have shown marked improvement due to targeted refurbishments and process optimisation.

Durban Central and Southern WWTWs have consistently maintained compliance levels above 90%, demonstrating the effectiveness of the partnership.

Major projects currently under way include sea outfall inspections and critical pipeline repairs. These are supported by a comprehensive Water Use Licence Application (WULA) process for seven of the 10 treatment works, ensuring alignment with the National Water Act.

Xaba said that the municipality had committed over R1 billion in capital investment with UUW. This funding supports mechanical screening upgrades, pump station refurbishments, sludge management systems, and major rehabilitations at key sites, including KwaMashu, Amanzimtoti, and uMhlanga. 

zainul.dawood@inl.co.za

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