The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has implemented a 10% water supply restriction for the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast area, which will remain in effect until April 30, 2027. This restriction will result in a total daily water supply volume of 13 megaliters.
On Friday, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) announced the completion of the Annual Operational Analysis (AOA) for the uMngeni, North Coast, and South Coast water supply systems in KwaZulu-Natal. A Department representative, Visane Mavasa, explained that following the analysis and consultations with stakeholders at the Stakeholder Operators Forum (SOF), operational measures were agreed upon to ensure water supply throughout the 2026/2027 operational year, running from May 1, 2026, to April 30, 2027.
The South Coast water supply falls under the Ugu District Municipality and includes areas such as Hibberdene and Port Shepstone. Mavasa clarified that the uMngeni water supply system serves the area from Pietermaritzburg to Durban, as well as from KwaDukuza (Stanger) in the north to eMzimtoti in the south. It covers the eThekwini municipality, along with the uMgungundlovu, Msunduzi, and iLembe municipalities.
Despite the South Coast water supply system starting the operational year with a 97% reserve, current water demand exceeds the long-term sustainable yield of the system. DWS added that rainfall and runoff during the summer period from October 2025 to April 2026 were lower than the previous year, reducing the available water volume. Mavasa emphasized that the restrictions are necessary to protect water resources and guarantee reliable supply throughout the operational year.
DWS stated that it will continue to monitor the system and review the imposed restrictions. Mavasa explained that the restrictions may be lifted if water supply from the Mpambanyoni scheme is successfully restored, if the South Coast dams reach full capacity and begin spilling, or reduced if the South Coast pipeline supply is consistently maintained at 4.6 megaliters per day.
Regarding the uMngeni water supply system, which started the operational year with a 99.5% reserve level, Mavasa noted that no restrictions were required. Consumption reduction remains critical to maintaining supply within infrastructure capacity and drinking water quality. The goal is to return usage to acceptable limits and within the system's sustainable yield, thereby reducing the risk of future restrictions.
The North Coast water supply system, fed by the Hazelmere dam, was also above full capacity at the start of the operational year, so no restrictions were applied there. Mavasa reported that the Department will continue to integrate the system with the Lower Tugela Water Supply System Phase 2 to strengthen long-term water security and meet growing future demand.
Mavasa concluded that while reserve levels in the uMngeni and North Coast systems remain favorable, all three water supply systems continue to face increasing pressure due to rising water demand, climate variability, water losses, and aging infrastructure. She assured that the Department will closely monitor water resources and system performance throughout the year and make adjustments to operational measures as needed.
