Ethekwini Water and Sanitation – Exploring direct potable reuse of recycled water and stormwater

Ethekwini is a coastal municipality in KwaZulu-Natal Province. South Africa has recognised the need for water reuse in its National Water Resource Strategy, Water Reconciliation Studies, National Development Plan and Sanitation Master Plan; as the country is fully using its available surface water resources, and running out of locations for future dams.

Ethekwini has been leading the way on innovative reuse by practising non-drinking recycling for some time, including for a paper factory and oil refinery, since 2001 (see Ethekwini 4). Now, eThekwini is exploring more non-drinking recycling plus direct potable reuse to help the municipality ensure a reliable and safe water supply in future. In future around 20% of the total demand of 1,100 million litres (290 million gallons) per day could come from reuse, groundwater supply, rainwater harvesting and desalination.

Ethekwini Water and Sanitation identified that a sustainable urban drainage system can likely be established in the sandstone geological formations around the uMbilo wastewater works, and a reliable supply developed incorporating stormwater harvesting, underground storage, rainwater harvesting and reuse for the eThekwini metropolitan area. This project will further investigate this option.