26 Sep 2023 | 10:21 AM UTC
South Africa: Further water disruptions likely in Durban area through September.
Further water disruptions likely in Durban, South Africa, through September. Associated protests possible.
Event
Further water disruptions are likely in the wider eThekwini Municipality area, including Durban and Umhlanga, through September. Ethekwini's Municipality has announced that affected reservoirs are expected to return to normal levels by Sept. 28. Disruptions have been reported since mid-September; the reason is unclear, although authorities stated they suspect sabotage to have caused aqueduct leakages. The following areas have reportedly been affected: Broadway, Umgeni Park, Park Hill, Umhlanga Rocks, Umhlanga, Glen Anil, La Lucia, Virginia, Prestondale, and Sunningdale.
Business disruptions are possible, especially for companies that rely on large quantities of municipal water. Essential services, including hospitals and health facilities, could experience disruptions due to water cuts. The water outages could extend beyond the estimated restoration time. Spontaneous protests are possible in areas affected by water shortages, especially in lower-income areas. In the event of protests, increased security and road travel disruptions stemming from blockades are likely.
Advice
Stock up on drinking water and confirm alternative water supplies for business operations if operating in the impacted areas. Use only bottled water from reputable suppliers for drinking and hygienic purposes. Water pressure and quality may be poor after service resumes; run taps for several minutes before using water. Minimize nonessential water use throughout the outage. Avoid protests, and do not drive through roadblocks that may materialize. Heed instructions from authorities.
