Ethekwini Water and Sanitation – Planned direct potable reuse

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 practicing 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 Council has approved the development of a large-scale direct purified recycled water project for the Northern operational area, from the KwaMashu and Northern plants. This facility will cater for increasing water demands from residential and commercial developments expected in the area. The plant is expected to be developed in the 2030s.