In response to a mounting water crisis, the eThekwini Metro has made the decision to implement boreholes in sections of the city grappling with water shortages. This decision comes after a recent water scarcity period, which left northern Durban areas parched for two weeks.

Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda of eThekwini affirmed the commitment of municipal teams to tackle the crisis head-on, stating, “Work is ongoing to address the water challenges, especially in our municipality’s rural areas.”

He further said that the drilling of boreholes was presently in progress, with an emphasis on regions lacking adequate water infrastructure. Kaunda elaborated, “In areas where water infrastructure is insufficient, the municipality has reallocated funds to expedite the drilling of boreholes.”

Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has taken action by lodging a complaint with the Human Rights Commission (HRC) against the city, alleging that it has failed in its duty to provide essential water services to its citizens.

A week ago, EWN reported that the Ethekwini Metro has confirmed a positive turn of events regarding reservoir levels in uMhlanga and Durban North, following a recent water disruption within the city. This development follows a distressing period during which residents in northern Durban were left without access to water.

The water crisis in the northern part of Durban unfolded subsequent to the release of a scathing report by the South African Human Rights Commission, which highlighted the dire state of water resources in KwaZulu-Natal.

For eight consecutive days, residents in northern Durban, encompassing areas such as uMhlanga, La Lucia, and Virginia, grappled with severe water supply issues. The primary culprit behind these disruptions was identified as air trapped within the city’s pipelines, effectively impeding the flow of water.

Edwick Msweli, the Municipal Head of Water and Sanitation, provided insights into the situation, stating, “We have achieved a significant breakthrough in resolving this matter. We believe that we have successfully purged the majority of the trapped air within the pipelines, which had been responsible for the restrictions leading to the interruption of water supply in uMhlanga and its neighboring areas.”

The city has further assured residents that its dedicated teams will remain on-site to closely monitor the ongoing water challenges, ensuring a sustained and reliable supply.