KwaZulu-Natal’s South Coast has been hit with a 10% water supply restriction until April 30, 2027.
The restriction will result in a total water supply of 13 megalitres per day. On Friday, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) stated that it has completed its Annual Operating Analysis (AOA) for the uMngeni, North and South Coast Water Supply Systems in KZN.
Department spokesperson Wisane Mavasa explained that following the analysis and consultations with stakeholders at the Stakeholders Operating Forum (SOF), operating measures have been agreed to safeguard water supply for the 2026/2027 operating year, which runs from May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027.
The South Coast water supply falls under the Ugu District Municipality and includes areas like Hibberdene and Port Shepstone.
Mavasa said the uMngeni Water Supply System serves the area stretching from Pietermaritzburg to Durban, and from KwaDukuza (Stanger) in the north to eManzimtoti in the south. It includes the eThekwini Municipality, as well as the uMgungundlovu, Msunduzi and iLembe municipalities.
“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,” she said.
The DWS added that 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. Mavasa said the restrictions are necessary to protect water resources and ensure a reliable supply throughout the operating year.
The DWS said it would 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,” Mavasa explained.
uMngeni
The uMngeni Water Supply System began the operating year at a storage level of 99.5%,which is effectively full. Mavasa said no restrictions were required.
Reducing water use remains essential to ensure the supply remains within the infrastructure capacity for sustained operations and potable water quality. The aim is to bring usage back within authorised limits and the system’s sustainable yield, and to reduce the risk of future restrictions.
North
The North Coast Water Supply System, supplied by Hazelmere Dam, was also above full supply capacity at the beginning of the operating year. No restrictions were required.
“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,” Mavasa said.
She said 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,” she said.
IOL