20-05-2025
eThekwini Municipality's plumbing contracts: A R800 million annual expenditure
The eThekwini Municipality is reviewing its policy on plumbers after spending approximately R800 million per annum on contractors.
Image: File
The eThekwini Municipality is reviewing its policy on plumbers after spending approximately R800 million per annum on hiring contractors.
The eThekwini Water and Sanitation Unit (EWS) presented its status of water supply report for May 2025 to the eThekwini Executive Committee (Exco) on Tuesday.
The municipality's insourcing of plumbers' roadmap statistics reveals that out of the 110 plumbing vacancies, 70 are filled, and 40 are vacant. From the 40 vacant plumbing posts, four will be employed by June 30, 2025, and 12 by January 31, 2026.
The municipality is creating a separate management entity for the EWS with the Water Turnaround Strategy (WTA) to resolve the water supply problems and revenue loss the city is experiencing. Among the issues raised by residents and councillors were incompetent plumbers, recurring pipe leaks, delays in repair time, and unsurfaced roads.
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Sibusiso Vilane, the acting HOD for EWS, said the budget for the remaining 24 posts will be sourced from savings, together with resources attached to the posts.
Vilane stated that the current policy has been in place for over 20 years and that consultation is key to the success of the reform to open tender.
He said that once consulted, the managing contract will be advertised within the first quarter of the 2025/26 financial year.
According to Vilane, a mixed breed of in-house plumber employment and limited outsourced plumbing services could be in place by June 30, 2026.
'There have been many complaints about the quality of work rendered by plumbers. Many have to undergo training, and they must meet specific standards before we can recruit them. There is a roadmap to achieve this,' he said.
The municipality was ranked 'very poor' when it came to the Infrastructure Leakage Index (ILI) interpretation in the category of unavoidable annual real losses (UARL) and current annual real losses (CARL).
To deal with non-revenue water, the EWS will ensure pressure management, restrictor installation, pipe replacement, pipe repairs, leak detection and repairs, reservoir and metering, and smart metering.
As of May 14, 154 bursts were on the system, with 52 received that morning. Opening leaks in the system 7 213, with 417 leaks reported within 24 hours.
To date, 63 pressure regulator valves (PRV) have been installed and 132 maintained, with the target set for 116 installations. The project was delayed due to the cancellation of orders for fitting components, generators, and pumps as a result of non-compliance with Supply Chain Management requirements.
The municipality intends to install 88,972 restrictors; however, only 21,198 have been installed due to an outstanding budget of R15 million needed to meet the target. An estimated R48 million was assigned to pipeline replacement in central and northern regions, namely Chatsworth, Phoenix, and Redcliffe. The municipality intends to spend R70 million annually on pipe replacement.
Reservoir metering for accurate water balancing is being rolled out across the city with 192 planned installations at 143 reservoir sites. Thus far, 120 meters have been installed at 95 reservoir sites.
The municipality has completed the new northern aqueduct project at a value of R3 billion to augment supply in the Northern areas. The aqueduct has been commissioned for Avoca and Phoenix.
The municipality has also completed a new rising main from Hazelmere to Grange.
The municipality has also recommissioned the augmenting pumping main from Grange to Mt View reservoir to supplement the Verulam system, which was severely impacted by extended water outages.
With regards to the Tongaat area, the city has completed and commissioned new Emona and Burbreeze reservoirs.
However, with the Tongaat Supply System, all eight reservoirs supplied from the Tongaat system are still on intermittent supply due to the plant not coping with demand.
Vilane said the frequent mains bursts are also contributing to the frequent disruptions.
He also emphasised that there would be a centralised management approach with a single point of management and accountability. The city will declare a war on leaks from July 2025 once the budget comes through.
eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba said the trading services of electricity, water and sanitation, and cleansing and solid waste must improve their performance and enhance revenue generation.
City Manager Musa Mbhele encouraged the EWS to implement what is planned and deal with issues raised by the public decisively.
Councillor Nkosenhle Madlala, ANC Exco whip, said the introduction of performance-based water management contracts will not only promote efficiency but will also help in driving accountability and measurable outcomes.
'Concerns were raised by communities during the Budget Roadshows. We reiterate our support for the insourcing of plumbers. This will not only improve service turnaround times but also enhance accountability and ensure value for money,' Madlala said.
