South Africa’s eThekwini Municipality to Restrict Water for 550,000 Homes

Residents in eThekwini Municipality will soon face strict water restrictions as officials roll out 550,000 flow restrictors to curb excessive water use. This decision, made during an executive committee meeting on 18 February 2025, comes amid rising water demand and ongoing supply challenges.

The city is under pressure to reduce daily water consumption by 8.4% following a directive from uMngeni-uThukela Water in October 2024. However, despite these efforts, only 15% of the target reduction has been achieved so far.

How Will Water Restrictions Work?

The flow restrictors, small washers placed inside water meters, will limit daily consumption to 360 litres over six hours. This means residents will experience significantly reduced water pressure, which could impact household water use, sanitation, and business operations.

The city has justified the move as a necessary step to conserve water, given that eThekwini’s average water consumption (298 litres per person per day) far exceeds the global average of 173 litres.

Opposition and Public Backlash

The Democratic Alliance (DA) and ratepayer groups have criticized the water restrictions, calling them a result of poor infrastructure maintenance and mismanagement rather than a genuine conservation effort.

• The DA argues that eThekwini’s leaking pipes, burst mains, and lack of skilled plumbers have led to excessive wastage, shifting the burden onto residents.
• The eThekwini Ratepayers Protest Movement (ERPM) slammed the restriction plan as “short-sighted”, saying it will negatively affect businesses, sanitation, and the local economy.

Instead of restricting water, critics say the municipality should focus on:

Fixing leaks to prevent further wastage.
Upgrading infrastructure to improve long-term water management.
Investing in water-saving education rather than penalizing consumers.

Water Supply Crisis & Infrastructure Delays

Compounding the crisis, ongoing Sanral N3 upgrades have forced the shutdown of a key pipeline, disrupting supply to parts of Durban.

Meanwhile, five bulk water projects are in the pipeline to increase daily water supply by 550 megalitres (ML/day)—a 50% increase on the current 1,100 ML/day capacity. However, these projects remain in the design and construction phase, offering no immediate relief.

What’s Next for eThekwini Residents?

Despite strong opposition, the municipality remains firm on its water restriction plan, arguing that urgent action is needed to balance supply and demand.

With implementation set to begin in the coming weeks, residents and businesses will need to brace for lower water pressure and adjust their consumption habits accordingly.

What do you think about the eThekwini Municipality’s water restrictions?

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