ETHEKWINI Mayor Cyril Xaba has defended the City’s progress on water security, highlighting billions of rands in infrastructure investment as the DA demonstrated ahead of the final council meeting of the term on Friday.

The picket outside the Durban ICC by DA councillors served to highlight the city’s water woes and ailing infrastructure among other issues which have left thousands of home without running water over the years.

Xaba used the post-council media briefing on Sunday at the Durban City Hall to outline the municipality’s water interventions, saying the City had faced “one of the most challenging periods in the history of our city” during the 2021-2026 term.

He said the period included the July 2021 unrest and the April 2022 floods, which caused extensive damage to water, sanitation, roads, bridges and electricity infrastructure.

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“Yet, despite these immense challenges, the City did not retreat from its responsibilities,” said Xaba. “The road to recovery has not been easy, but the progress is visible.”

Among the major projects highlighted was the R1.2b Southern Aqueduct Upgrade Project, which will strengthen water security for more than 1.2 million residents across areas including Umlazi, Folweni, Chatsworth, Klaarwater, Northdene and Malvern.

Two of its six packages have been completed, with the remaining packages expected to be completed before the end of the year.

The R11b Lower uMkhomazi Bulk Water Scheme is also progressing and is expected to provide 70 megalitres of water to eThekwini when completed in 2029.

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Xaba said the Northern Aqueduct, commissioned in 2024, had significantly stabilised supply in several northern areas.

“Currently, areas such as Umhlanga, Durban North, Sunningdale, Virginia, La Lucia, Glen Ashley and Avoca are receiving a full and reliable water supply,” he said.

The City has also drilled 85 boreholes in various wards, particularly in rural areas. Reducing water losses remains another key focus, with the municipality targeting a 5% annual reduction in non-revenue water.

Measures include R565m for specialised leak repairs, R102m for proactive leak detection and R100m for pipe replacement. Xaba also pointed to the City’s investment of about R345m in an internal water tanker fleet, which currently consists of 318 tankers.

“While challenges remain, particularly those linked to the legacy of flood damage and rapid urban growth, this administration has demonstrated its willingness to confront these realities head-on,” said Xaba.

“The work is not yet complete, but the progress made over this term provides confidence that the City is moving steadily towards a more secure and sustainable future.”

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