The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has completed its Annual Operating Analysis (AOA) for the uMngeni, North and South Coast Water Supply Systems in KwaZulu- Natal.

Following the analysis and consultations with stakeholders at the Stakeholders Operating Forum (SOF), operating measures have been agreed to safeguard water supply for the 2026/27 operating year, which runs from 1 May 2026 to 30 April 2027.

The uMngeni Water Supply System serves the area stretching from Pietermaritzburg to Durban and from KwaDukuza (Stanger) in the north to Amanzimtoti in the south. It includes the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, as well as the uMgungundlovu, Msunduzi and iLembe municipalities.

A 10% water supply restriction has been implemented for the South Coast Water Supply System for the 2026/27 operating year, effective from 1 May 2026 to 30 April 2027. This will result in a total water supply of 13 megalitres per day.

Although the South Coast Water Supply System was at 97% storage at the start of the operating year, water demand is currently exceeding the long-term sustainable yield of the system. Rainfall and runoff during the summer period from October 2025 to April 2026 were also lower than in the previous year, reducing the amount of water available. The restrictions are therefore necessary to protect water resources and ensure a reliable supply throughout the operating year.

The Department will continue to monitor the system and review the restrictions. They may be lifted if the water supply from the Mpambanyoni Scheme is successfully reinstated, if South Coast dams reach full capacity and begin spilling, or reduced if water supply from the South Coast Pipeline is consistently maintained at 4.6 megalitres per day.

The uMngeni Water Supply System began the operating year at a storage level of 99.5%, which is effectively full. No restrictions are therefore required for the 2026/27 operating year.

However, reducing water use remains essential to ensure supply remains within infrastructure capacity for sustained operations and potable water quality, to bring usage back within authorised limits and the system’s sustainable yield, and to reduce the risk of future restrictions.

The North Coast Water Supply System, supplied by Hazelmere Dam, was also above full supply capacity at the beginning of the operating year. As a result, no restrictions are required for the 2026/27 operating year. The Department will continue integrating the system with the Lower Thukela Bulk Water Supply System Phase 2 to strengthen long-term water security and meet growing future demand.

While storage levels in the uMngeni and North Coast systems remain favourable, all three water supply systems continue to face increasing pressure from rising water demand, climate variability, water losses and ageing infrastructure.

The Department will continue to monitor water resources and system performance closely throughout the year and will adjust operating measures where necessary. All water users are reminded that no water may be abstracted from any water resource without the required authorisation. Water users are also required to install measuring devices in accordance with Government Notice No. 41381 of 12 January 2018.