Billions pledged for water as taps, pipes and sewers keep failing across SA

Government promises large budget boost as failures continue

South Africa has set aside more than R156 billion in grants and subsidies for water and sanitation over the next three years, even as damaged pipelines, widespread leaks and sewage spills continue to affect cities and towns.

Accountability change proposed

To tackle service failures and pollution, an amendment to the National Water Act will allow officials to be held personally criminally liable for municipal water and sanitation failures, the Department of Water and Sanitation announced.

Pressure on KwaZulu‑Natal systems

The department completed its Annual Operating Analysis for the uMngeni, North Coast and South Coast water supply systems in KwaZulu‑Natal and said all three systems face rising pressure from demand, climate variability, water losses and ageing infrastructure. It had imposed restrictions on the uMngeni uThukela Water Supply System to reduce river extraction but later lifted restrictions at several municipalities after stakeholder consultations.

The department reported the uMgeni Water Supply System began the operating year at a storage level of 99.5%, described as effectively full.

“Following the analysis and consultations with stakeholders at the stakeholders operating forum, measures have been agreed to safeguard water supply for the 2026/2027 operating year.”

Durban’s plumbing crisis and rising sewer faults

In eThekwini, councillors and opposition figures have pointed to major water losses and widespread leaks. The DA’s mayoral candidate for eThekwini said losses exceed 65% with about 13,000 water leaks across the city.

The municipality said it had resolved a plumbers’ crisis and had 106 plumbers on the ground after changing its procurement and contracting approach for plumbing services. The city also reported that sewer faults reported rose to 2,368 in January 2026, up from 850 in December 2025.

Acting eThekwini Water and Sanitation management said the municipality needs an estimated R4.6 billion to refurbish all wastewater treatment works to meet Green Drop standards. The city reported its three main treatment works were struggling: KwaMashu with capacity issues and Amanzimtoti and Hammarsdale with pollution linked to industry.

Johannesburg turns to smart technology

Johannesburg Water said it will roll out smart pressure controllers as part of a Water Conservation and Water Demand Management Programme to reduce non‑revenue water. The entity has purchased an additional 306 smart controllers which are being installed and expects to complete that project by end of September 2026.

The utility has already installed 225 noise loggers with a further 125 planned by October 2026. The loggers are described as automated leak detection sensors installed on critical pipelines to detect underground leaks so maintenance teams can be deployed.

“Smart controllers will help manage pressure more effectively, reducing the incidence of bursts and leaks. Together, these interventions aim to lower high system pressure, ultimately decreasing minimum night flow losses,”

said Logan Munsamy, Senior Manager for Water Demand Management and Technical Metering.

Cape Town finds and fights ageing infrastructure

The Public Protector in Cape Town substantiated complaints of poor service delivery after outreach visits, finding that failures to maintain sewer infrastructure amounted to maladministration in parts of Langa Flats and Khayelitsha. Cape Town’s water and sanitation team reported replacing 27.36km of pipes in June and the city said it invested over R12.24 billion in capital infrastructure in a single financial year.

Dr Zahid Badroodien, MMC for Water and Sanitation, said every metre of pipe replaced reduces the risk of bursts, leaks and families losing access to water.

What officials say and where things stand

Alongside the funding pledge and proposed legal changes, the Department of Water and Sanitation and municipal leaders continue to highlight system pressures from ageing networks, rising demand and pollution. Different cities are deploying a mix of repairs, technology and procurement changes to address water losses and sewer failures.