ActionSA Calls for Immediate Investigation into Durban Water Crisis
Athol Trollip
ActionSA Parliamentary Leader
ActionSA is deeply concerned about the severe water crisis in eThekwini, where 55% of the population is currently without water and relying on tankers due to disruptions at the Durban Heights Reservoir. While the immediate issue involves uMngeni-uThukela Water’s shutdown of the reservoir to address algae contamination in the main water supply dams, the underlying cause is the mismanagement of sewage systems by a DA-run municipality.
The briefing from uMngeni-uThukela Water has confirmed that the algae buildup is caused by untreated raw sewerage and possibly industrial and land use related pollution entering the water supply. This contamination stems from the failure of the municipality’s wastewater treatment pump stations, which have not been properly maintained. As a result, untreated sewerage is flowing into the Albert Falls River, which feeds the Albert Falls and Nagel dams —the primary water sources for the Durban Heights Reservoir.
This neglect of critical sewerage infrastructure has not only led to excessive algae blooms and widespread water shortages but also poses a serious environmental threat to Durban’s water supply. Experts have long warned that this situation was inevitable due to the municipality’s failure to address these infrastructure issues.
ActionSA calls for an urgent investigation into this matter to ensure accountability for any mismanagement that has led to this crisis. The Department of Water and Sanitation and the Department of Environmental Affairs must take immediate action to hold the responsible parties accountable and ensure that such incidents are prevented in the future.
The people of eThekwini deserve reliable and safe water services and competent governance in their and neighbouring municipalities. The apparent failure of the DA-run uMngeni municipality to maintain critical wastewater treatment infrastructure has directly contributed to this water crisis, and ActionSA will continue to advocate for swift and decisive measures to restore services and protect the public and the environment.
ActionSA Calls for Immediate Investigation into Durban Water Crisis
ActionSA is deeply concerned about the severe water crisis in eThekwini, where 55% of the population is currently without water and relying on tankers due to disruptions at the Durban Heights Reservoir. While the immediate issue involves uMngeni-uThukela Water’s shutdown of the reservoir to address algae contamination in the main water supply dams, the underlying cause is the mismanagement of sewage systems by a DA-run municipality.
The briefing from uMngeni-uThukela Water has confirmed that the algae buildup is caused by untreated raw sewerage and possibly industrial and land use related pollution entering the water supply. This contamination stems from the failure of the municipality’s wastewater treatment pump stations, which have not been properly maintained. As a result, untreated sewerage is flowing into the Albert Falls River, which feeds the Albert Falls and Nagel dams —the primary water sources for the Durban Heights Reservoir.
This neglect of critical sewerage infrastructure has not only led to excessive algae blooms and widespread water shortages but also poses a serious environmental threat to Durban’s water supply. Experts have long warned that this situation was inevitable due to the municipality’s failure to address these infrastructure issues.
ActionSA calls for an urgent investigation into this matter to ensure accountability for any mismanagement that has led to this crisis. The Department of Water and Sanitation and the Department of Environmental Affairs must take immediate action to hold the responsible parties accountable and ensure that such incidents are prevented in the future.
The people of eThekwini deserve reliable and safe water services and competent governance in their and neighbouring municipalities. The apparent failure of the DA-run uMngeni municipality to maintain critical wastewater treatment infrastructure has directly contributed to this water crisis, and ActionSA will continue to advocate for swift and decisive measures to restore services and protect the public and the environment.