Government authorities are planning to build what would become the country’s biggest water transfer scheme to slake Durban’s burgeoning water demand — when more than 56% of the city’s water is now leaking out of broken pipes, is stolen or not paid for.
compared with just under 37% five years ago. Ten years ago, the city’s non-revenue water losses stood at 33%.A table explaining Durban’s current water balance. It shows that more than 56% of the water purchased by the city is not paid for and is classified as Non-Revenue Water. It also suggests that more than 44% of water purchased from Umgeni Water is lost from leakage while the remaining 12% of losses is attributed to unauthorised or unbilled water use.
Nevertheless, Umgeni Water confirmed in a recent media release that several KZN municipalities baulked at the cost of the new transfer scheme and had been “reluctant to sign user agreements because of concern that the tariff would be unaffordable”.asked Umgeni Water board chair Ziphozethu Mathenjwa whether a final decision had been made about building the uMkhomazi water scheme and how much it would cost.
While no firm timeframe has been announced, water planners are concerned that Durban is heading closer to major water shortages unless the leaks are plugged timeously — or the uMkhomazi plan is authorised swiftly.Technical sources have also warned that even if construction began tomorrow, it would take at least 10 years before any water from the uMkhomazi arrived in Durban.
The uMkhomazi scheme also presents several costly engineering challenges — including the excavation of a 33km underground tunnel stretching from Smithfield to the outskirts of Pietermaritzburg.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
'Use water sparingly' - Joburg Water urges residents | The CitizenJohannesburg Water said it is “monitoring severely strained water reservoirs and towers', and supply to affected infrastructure.
Read more »
Joburg Water is looking into why someone had blue water coming out of their tapA Joburg resident shared a video of blue water coming out of her tap on Sunday.
Read more »
Load shedding is affecting water supply to reservoirs: Rand WaterPower cuts have affected Rand Water's water supply to reservoirs in different municipalities.
Read more »
Rand Water completing generator installation as power outages decrease water supply | The CitizenRand Water is in the process of completing its generator project to reduce the effects of power outages. 💧 watercrisis
Read more »
Tshwane water crisis: Mayor and Rand Water CEO meet to discuss 'supply challenges' | News24City of Tshwane Mayor Randall Williams said he had 'constructive engagements' with Rand Water on Monday night amid the ongoing water crisis in the metro. | IamAlexSweet
Read more »