IN A desperate move to reduce water consumption across the Metro, eThekwini Municipality has commenced with the installation of water restrictors on all consumer meters.

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The restrictors are being installed to constrict the flow of water which will assist in reducing overall water demand.

According to an eThekwini statement, these installations have started in the southern wards. It said the reason to start on the South Coast was due to the escalating water demand in the region which outpaces available supply.

“This demand puts further strain on the system due to a reduction of bulk water since the curtailment was implemented by uMngeni-uThukela Water in October last year. This is while the city also intensifies efforts to address and mitigate physical water losses within the system,” it said.

The restrictors will be rolled out to around 550 000 connected households and 88 972 of those in the south Durban area.

The statement said the executive committee (Exco) supported interventions on water demand management and the municipality was encouraged to strengthen its plans to address the challenges of non-revenue water with urgency. The operation to restrict the water flow from taps comes as the South Coast continues to experience debilitating water shortages as a result of the faulty South Coast Augmentation Pipeline, as well as frequent pipe bursts in various areas.

Exco member and ward 97 councillor, Andrè Beetge, said lost water amounts to almost 60% of all water sourced by the city from Umngeni-Uthukela Water. The water is lost mainly through unrepaired leaks and unmetered connections.

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