EThekwini Municipality’s Executive Committee (EXCO) held a meeting yesterday, 2 July, where several reports and resolutions were adopted to accelerate implementation and respond to current service delivery matters.
These reports will proceed to Full Council for further deliberation and approval.
UPDATE ON THE PROPOSED PACKAGE WATER PLANTS
EXCO has received preliminary findings from uMngeni-uThukela Water (UUW), which recommend that the Municipality prioritise water demand management interventions over the construction of new package water treatment plants. This recommendation seeks to address water supply challenges.
As part of its efforts to improve water security, the Municipality had requested UUW to investigate the feasibility of establishing package water treatment plants in communities experiencing prolonged water shortages.
Presenting the preliminary feasibility study to EXCO, the water utility advised that reducing water losses and improving the efficiency of the existing water distribution system would deliver faster, more sustainable and financially viable benefits than investing in new supply infrastructure.
UUW reported that demand management interventions would enable the Municipality to recover significant volumes of non-revenue water, thereby making more water available to customers without increasing current bulk water supply volumes.
These interventions can also be implemented over a shorter period and at a substantially lower cost than developing new water supply schemes.
UUW’s preliminary findings indicate that while package plants could provide interim relief in some areas, they would require substantial capital investment and may not represent the most cost-effective long-term solution.
For the proposed package plant serving the Qadi area in Umzinyathi, UUW estimated that a 10 megalitre per day (ML/day) plant would cost approximately R1.2 billion, while a 30 ML/day plant would require an investment of approximately R3.5 billion.
Water produced from the facility is estimated to cost approximately R53 per kilolitre over a 20-year period.
The estimated monthly capital unit charge would be approximately R12.6 million for a 10 ML/day plant and approximately R37 million for a 30 ML/day plant, excluding the applicable UUW bulk water tariff.
UUW further advised that the Provincial Department of Water and Sanitation is unlikely to approve additional water abstraction above the existing licence for the proposed Qadi scheme.
Any new abstraction would require a corresponding reduction in water abstraction from the Wiggins and Durban Heights Water Treatment Works.
The water utility also cautioned that the long-term viability of the Qadi package plant may be limited, as the uMkhomazi Upper Dam is expected to be commissioned from 2034, significantly increasing bulk water availability to the Municipality.
The feasibility study further assessed proposed package plants for Mfume, Craigieburn and Umbumbulu.
The estimated capital cost for the Mfume plant is approximately R650 million.
For Craigieburn and Umbumbulu, UUW noted that construction of the proposed facilities would only be completed after major regional bulk water projects are expected to come online.
The Lower uMkhomazi Dam is anticipated to begin supplying the southern areas of eThekwini from 2029, while the uMkhomazi Upper Dam is expected to supply the entire Municipality, including Umbumbulu, from 2034.
UUW also noted that a package plant at Umbumbulu would draw from the same water source as Amanzimtoti Water Treatement Works, potentially reducing water availability to that areas supplied through Amanzimtoti.
UUW further informed EXCO that its ability to implement large capital expenditure projects is constrained by reduced tariff increases, limited borrowing capacity and the shortened economic lifespan of projects that may be superseded by larger regional water schemes.
EXCO noted the preliminary findings and agreed that the feasibility study should be finalised before any decisions are taken regarding the available options.
UUW will return to EXCO to present the completed study together with its final recommendations.
UPDATE ON WATER QUALITY SUPPLIED BY UUW TO THE CITY
The management of UUW also briefed EXCO on the status of water quality, reporting significant progress in reducing levels of 2-Methylisoborneol (2-MIB), the naturally occurring compound responsible for the earthy and musty taste and odour that has affected portions of the water supplied to eThekwini Municipality in recent months.
UUW reported that its interventions have successfully reduced 2-MIB in the water supplied through the Wiggins Water Treatment Works.
The water utility explained that the elevated 2-MIB levels resulted from increased algal activity in Inanda Dam, which affected the quality of raw water abstracted for treatment at the Wiggins Water Treatment Works.
While the compound affects the taste and odour of drinking water, it does not pose a health risk.
To address the issue, UUW has implemented a range of mitigation measures aimed at improving raw water quality and optimising the treatment process.
These include enhanced water quality and quantity monitoring from the catchment through to the consumer to provide early warning of changes in raw water quality and enable timely optimisation of treatment processes.
The utility has also intensified dam and abstraction management by implementing multi-level abstraction and drawing water from lower levels of the dam where appropriate, to reduce the impact of eutrophication and improve raw water quality.
In addition, advanced treatment chemicals are being applied as required to remove taste and odour compounds during the treatment process.
UUW advised EXCO that daily monitoring of treated water continues and has consistently confirmed that the water remains safe for human consumption and complies with the requirements of the South African National Standard for Drinking Water.
STATUS OF WATER SUPPLY
The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate provided EXCO with an update on the status of water supply across the City, with particular focus on areas experiencing ongoing water supply challenges.
The update forms part of a standing item on the EXCO agenda to monitor progress on interventions aimed at improving water supply.
At Osindisweni, the Directorate reported that the upgrade of the Ogunjini Water Treatment Works has been completed and the facility is currently supplying water to Osindisweni Hospital and the Ogunjini 1 area.
Repairs to the Ogunjini 1 pump station are underway to restore supply to Reservoir 2, which will enable water distribution to additional communities.
The Directorate also reported that the standpipe installation project in Esidweni at ward 111 is progressing.
In Ward 43, Ntuzuma, EXCO was informed that frequent vandalism of pressure reducing valves continues to disrupt water supply.
EXCO heard that the Municipality experiences incidents of vandalism in the Inanda, Ntuzuma and KwaMashu areas on an almost daily basis, resulting in prolonged water outages while replacement of equipment are undertaken.
EXCO members strongly condemned the ongoing vandalism and theft of water infrastructure, noting that these criminal acts divert resources that could otherwise be used to improve service delivery and place an additional financial burden on the Municipality.
The Directorate further reported that some areas in Ntuzuma remain on water rationing due to limited water availability from the source.
Water rationing also continues in areas supplied through the Southern Aqueduct, which is currently undergoing a major upgrade.
These include parts of Chatsworth and uMlazi.
APPROVAL FOR 6 MONTHS EXTENSION OF CURRENT EPWP CONTRACTS
To ensure the continuity of critical services across the City, EXCO has approved a six-month extension of contracts for current Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) participants.
The Democratic Alliance and the Economic Freedom Fighters abstained from the decision.
The extension, which is in line with EPWP guidelines, will provide stability while ensuring uninterrupted service delivery ahead of the upcoming local government elections.
EPWP participants play an important role in supporting a range of Municipal programmes, including community safety, public health, water and sanitation services, waste management, environmental sustainability social development and other frontline services that benefit residents across the City.
The six-month extension has a total budget of R53.49 million, funded through a combination of R7.49 million from the EPWP grant and R46 million from the Municipality.
EXCO also noted the progress made in strengthening the administration of the programme following historical findings raised by the Auditor-General relating to the 2021/22 and 2022/23 financial years.
The Municipality has since implemented a range of corrective measures to improve oversight, accountability and compliance.
These measures include strengthened verification processes and ongoing monitoring, which have resulted in no identified cases during the current financial year of payments to deceased beneficiaries, ghost participants or individuals employed by other organs of state.
The Municipality has also taken decisive action to address past irregularities through disciplinary processes, recovery of funds where applicable, the opening of criminal cases, and the removal of deceased and ineligible beneficiaries from the programme.
REVISED RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION POLICY
EXCO has approved a revised Recruitment and Selection Policy aimed at strengthening fairness, transparency and accountability in the Municipality’s hiring processes.
The updated policy aligns with the Local Government: Municipal Staff Regulations and ensures that the Municipality’s recruitment practices meet national standards.
It also brings the policy into line with other Human Capital Management policies and addresses recommendations made during recent audits.
The revised policy will help ensure that all vacant positions are supported by up-to-date job descriptions and that recruitment processes are based on merit, fairness and equal opportunity.
By strengthening recruitment and selection practices, the Municipality aims to attract and appoint suitably qualified, competent and capable employees who can contribute to improved service delivery for residents.
CITY EXPANDS GLOBAL NETWORK OF SISTER CITIES
The City is strengthening its international partnerships to unlock new opportunities for investment, trade, tourism, skills development and cultural exchange that will contribute to economic growth and improved opportunities for residents.
By expanding its global network of Sister Cities, the Municipality aims to attract investment, promote innovation, strengthen its port economy, and create platforms for knowledge sharing and collaboration with leading international cities.
To advance these objectives, EXCO has approved the signing of Memoranda of Understanding to establish Sister City partnerships with the City of Xi’an in the People’s Republic of China and the City of Bahía Blanca in Argentina.
The partnership with Xi’an builds on the Letter of Intent signed by the Mayors of the two cities in October 2025 and reflects a shared commitment to strengthening cooperation in trade, tourism, education, culture and people-to-people exchanges.
Xi’an is a globally recognised centre for innovation, education and tourism, offering opportunities for collaboration that will support Durban’s economic development and international profile.
The partnership with Bahía Blanca strengthens eThekwini’s commitment to expanding South-South cooperation.
As one of Argentina’s major port and industrial cities, Bahía Blanca has expertise in logistics, petrochemicals, industrial manufacturing and green hydrogen development areas that align with Durban’s long-term development priorities and Port City agenda.
Together, these partnerships are expected to facilitate business and investment opportunities, encourage knowledge and technology exchange, strengthen collaboration between academic and cultural institutions, promote tourism, and support innovation and youth development.
They will also enhance Durban’s global positioning, diversify the Municipality’s international partnerships and contribute to sustainable economic development.
Implementation of both partnerships will be coordinated by the Municipality’s International and Intergovernmental Relations Directorate, which will work with relevant municipal departments and provide progress reports to the Governance and Human Resources Committee as required.
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