Sewage and trade effluent which is delivered by road haulage is that from private contractors who do conservancy tank (or septic tank) cleaning, and contractors who remove waste from Industrial factories and the like. This service ensures that all waste is disposed of with the least impact on the environment and in compliance with the Bylaws.

A company wishing to make application should contact the nearest Area Office in which they wish to operate. For example, Pinetown will be the North West office 031 3118077, or South Basin the South Central office 031 311 5998. Thereafter a Pollution Officer will visit the company and the application forms necessary to allow the company to undertake the service will be completed.

eThekwini Municipality has been discharging sewage and selected industrial wastes through two deep-sea submarine outfalls since about 1970. To ensure that the environmental integrity of the region is not compromised, a stringent and comprehensive monitoring programme has been applied. The work encompasses a suite of microbiological, chemical and ecological measurements that focus on assessing the state of the environment in the vicinities of the two outfall and along adjacent beaches. Additional information is gained through the analysis of effluents and comparative toxicity testing.

The responsibility for unblocking public sewers rests with the Unit.

Any complaints or faults should be reported to the toll-free number and a fault number will be allocated for future reference.

A field crew will then be dispatched as soon as possible. The service of unblocking private sewers i.e. that section from a building to the public sewer, is offered.

A prescribed tariff is charged for successful unblocking and a consolidated account number to which the job will be charged and a signature must be given to the driver before any work can commence.

he boundary manhole must be exposed by the owner prior to the crew arriving on site.

Payment must never be made to the driver.

In the event of the blockage not being able to be cleared by the field team, no charge will be levied, and the owner will be required to engage his or her own private plumber to excavate the pipes.

The service of emptying conservancy and septic tanks is offered at a prescribed tariff. The cost of the service can be charged to the water account but application for new accounts will have to be made at our Head Office at 3 Prior Road or at any one of our own Customer Service Centres.

Existing account customers can telephonically request the service at our toll-free number, 0801313013.  Alternatively, payment may be made up front at one of the locations listed at the back of the statement of the water account, quoting your bill account number as reference. 

The owner is responsible for exposing the tank/manhole in advance, and at least three days lead time is required.

In the event of the customer securing a private service provider to empty his/her septic and conservancy tanks, the private service provider must be in possession of a valid permit to discharge at one of the facilities provided by the Municipality.  Private service providers without a valid permit will not be allowed to discharge at any of the Municipal facilities.

Septic Tanks Information

If you have ever wondered what a septic tank is or how to maintain it, then the leaflets (in PDF format) below will answer your questions.

Information leaflet for Septic Tanks

Septic Tank diagram

Information leaflet for Septic Tanks - Zulu

Currently the service of emptying pit latrines on request and payment up front is offered at a prescribed tariff.  This is subject to the pit being a formal one (i.e. a Ventilated Improved Pit Latrine) being accessible by road tankers and will be undertaken as soon as practically possible. 

To arrange for this service to be carried out depending upon the area, application (together with payment) may be made at one of the following locations:

• 3 Prior Road, Durban,  4th Floor
• 14 Scott Road, Pinetown
• Isipingo Depot, 3 Citrus Grove, Isipingo
• KwaMashu & Inanda Township Manager’s Offices

The eThekwini Municipality (ETM) has set as a target of within 5 years (June 2008) all households in Durban will have access to potable water.

Our Unit works very closely with the Council's Health Department in minimising health risks to communities without ready access to potable water. Where possible, the minimum standard of service is a standpipe provided to serve a community where the maximum distance from the furthest dwelling to the standpipe is 200 metres.

Notwithstanding the above, there are at present 3 levels of service available to domestic customers, plus the full pressure service for businesses:

Domestic Ground Tank - Low Pressure

This service is available in informal and rural settlements where potable water is available nearby - normally a standpipe in the road reserve within 200 metres of the dwelling. 200 litres of water is fed daily into the tank. A charge is made for the installation of the tank. Provided that only one tank is installed, as the monthly consumption of water is equal to or below 6kl, no charge is levied for the water consumption. However, if more than 1 tank is installed, a consumption charge is levied per additional tank.

Domestic Roof Tank - Semi-pressure system

This service is available in low-cost housing settlements.  A charge is made for the semi-pressure connection and the installation of the tank. Water consumption is levied  in terms of the water tariffs.

Domestic Full Pressure

This service is available in the formal housing areas throughout the municipal area. Application for a connection can be made by calling at any of our Walk-In Centres. A connection fee is charged in terms of the applicable tariff for the size of connection (normally 20mm). Water consumption and monthly charges are made in terms of the water tariffs.

Industrial, Commercial and other users. 

This full pressure service is available throughout these areas. Application for a connection can be made by either calling at any of our Walk-In Centres. A connection fee is charged in terms of the applicable tariff for the size of connection. Water consumption and monthly charges are made in terms of the water tariffs.

Application to be connected to a water main can be made at any one of the Walk-In Centres situated in the Municipal area. The water inspectorate also provides a service whereby customers can request the following: leak detection, testing of water meters, stolen water meters, resiting of water meters and fire hydrants, and pressure and flow tests.

Links:

Click here to view the Water Tariffs

Areas which currently have inadequate levels of sanitation are considered for water and sanitation projects in order to upgrade them to at least VIP standards.

These projects are subject to prioritisation and fund availability, and requests therefore can be made in writing to the Water and Sanitation Unit at P O Box 1038, Durban, 4000 telephone 031 311 1111.

Where density of dwellings is sufficient to warrant water borne sewerage, the Council makes every effort to supply such method to remove sewerage.

However, recent rapid expansion in certain areas of the municipality, such as some areas in the Outer West, has put pressure on the Unit's financial resources. This has had the adverse effect of restricting development until the plans can be put in place to expand the water borne sewerage reticulation to accommodate such expansion.

Water and Sanitation project commences in eThekwini

Water and Sanitation Project on the move in informal settlements and transit camps

Informal settlements and transit camps all over eThekwini are in line to benefit from the municipality’s Water and Sanitation Project.

The project, which aims to provide access to running water and toilet facilities, has to date installed 218 ablution facilities on 109 sites, within informal settlements in eThekwini. Each facility consists of two modified containers, so that there are separate male and female facilities.

“This is only the beginning,” says eThekwini project executive Alan Kee. “A further 61 sites with 112 facilities will be completed by the end of September, with more to come before the end of the year,” he says.

According to Kee the project is targeting settlements already identified by the municipal housing department for future formal housing development. The infrastructure installed by the project will eventually be used in these formal developments.

Transit Camp facilities

Four transit camps within the municipality will benefit from the current project. “The provision of waterborne sewerage and running water is a priority, in terms of municipal delivery strategy” says Kee.

Social Development Agenda

The project, which commenced in January 2009, has a strong social development agenda. Based on the successful delivery model used on the Asbestos Cement (AC) Pipe Replacement Project, the municipality has been divided into four areas with a main contractor and design consultant working in each area.

The main contractor in each area will mentor two emerging sub contractors. Professional mentorship consultants, Lwazi Projects will manage the mentorship process.

“The development of these small enterprises is a key deliverable for the project,” says Aurecon Project Manager Evan Smith.”

The project has employed 2,470 mainly unskilled labourers to date. The project’s policy is to create jobs for people living in the communities in which the project is active.

Caretakers for the ablution blocks and community liaison officers are drawn from the communities where facilities are placed.

“The success of this project depends on the support of the community,” says Kee. “As a municipality we want to help communities to develop into strong units, by improving living conditions and fostering the growth of sustainable businesses,” he says.

The Water and Sanitation Project which is programmed to be completed in 2013 has a current budget of R375 million.

Water and Sanitation Project on the move in informal settlements and transit camps

Informal settlements and transit camps all over eThekwini are in line to benefit from the municipality’s Water and Sanitation Project.

The project, which aims to provide access to running water and toilet facilities, has to date installed 218 ablution facilities on 109 sites, within informal settlements in eThekwini. Each facility consists of two modified containers, so that there are separate male and female facilities.

“This is only the beginning,” says eThekwini project executive Alan Kee. “A further 61 sites with 112 facilities will be completed by the end of September, with more to come before the end of the year,” he says.

According to Kee the project is targeting settlements already identified by the municipal housing department for future formal housing development. The infrastructure installed by the project will eventually be used in these formal developments.

Transit Camp facilities

Four transit camps within the municipality will benefit from the current project. “The provision of waterborne sewerage and running water is a priority, in terms of municipal delivery strategy” says Kee.

Social Development Agenda

The project, which commenced in January 2009, has a strong social development agenda. Based on the successful delivery model used on the Asbestos Cement (AC) Pipe Replacement Project, the municipality has been divided into four areas with a main contractor and design consultant working in each area.

The main contractor in each area will mentor two emerging sub contractors. Professional mentorship consultants, Lwazi Projects will manage the mentorship process.

“The development of these small enterprises is a key deliverable for the project,” says Aurecon Project Manager Evan Smith.”

The project has employed 2,470 mainly unskilled labourers to date. The project’s policy is to create jobs for people living in the communities in which the project is active.

Caretakers for the ablution blocks and community liaison officers are drawn from the communities where facilities are placed.

“The success of this project depends on the support of the community,” says Kee. “As a municipality we want to help communities to develop into strong units, by improving living conditions and fostering the growth of sustainable businesses,” he says.

The Water and Sanitation Project which is programmed to be completed in 2013 has a current budget of R375 million.

South Africa's first private water recycling plant

History

There has always been a concern in South Africa in general, and Durban in particular, of the increased demands on South Africa's limited water resources. Durban treats in the region of 450 million litres of wastewater daily, and in this context, the Council's eThekwini Water Services (EWS) commenced an investigation into the recycling of treated wastewater. In 1993  EWS developed a reclamation process for the production of high quality reclaimed water and tested it at laboratory and pilot scales in 1994 and 1995. It was envisaged that Mondi Paper, situated in the southern part of Durban adjacent the Southern Wastewater Treatment Works (SWTW), who had previously approached EWS, would be the major customer for the reclaimed water.

Despite the proven technical success of treating the wastewater, the economic feasibility was in doubt. EWS then approached the Rand Merchant Bank in 1997 to assess the project. RMB produced a report which indicated that, provided certain guarantees were obtained, the project was economically feasible. The costs, technical complexity and the risks associated with the project lead EWS to recommend to the Council that it would be in the Council's best interests to consider a Public Private Partnership (PPP).

In 1999, after a formal tender process, Durban Water Recycling (Pty) Ltd was awarded a 20-year concession contract for the production of high quality reclaimed water. Construction commenced in 2000 and was completed in 14 months. The R74m construction phase included upgrading the activated sludge process from 50 to 77 ml per day, the construction of the tertiary plant, tying in with pre-existing and decommissioned assets, refurbishment of the SWTW high-level storage tank and the installation of the reclaimed water reticulation system.

Commissioning of the Plant

Located in the south of Durban in the grounds of the eThekwini Water Services' SWTW, the plant was commissioned in May 2001. Officially opened by the Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry, Ronnie Kasrils, the R74m sewage-to-clean-water recycling plant will treat 47.5 million litres of domestic and industrial wastewater to a near potable standard for sale to industrial customers for direct use in their processes. Understandably the saving of treated potable water in of great benefit to Durban.

Lower Tariffs

A considerable benefit to industries is the lower tariff when compared to the normal tariff paid by industries for potable water. The two largest customers so far are the Mondi Paper Mill in Merebank and the Sapref Refinery, owned by Shell and BP. The first private water-recycling project in South Africa, this plant is the culmination of a 20-year Build Own Operate and Transfer (BOOT) contract awarded to treat 10% of the city's wastewater. Vivendi Water is the major stakeholder in Durban Water Recycling and its partners are Zetachem, Khulani Holdings, Umgeni Water and Marubeni Europe. Some of the key elements for the success of the project is ETW's vision in initiating the project, Vivendi's ability to provide finance and to implement innovative, tailor-made technical solutions and Mondi's endorsement of the project, by committing its entire paper production at its Merebank Mill to recycled water.

Drinking Water

The plant will free up sufficient drinking water for approximately 300 000 people. "This contract has borne many advantages to the city. Apart from the financial investment and world-class technology, we will be recycling effluent. This in turn reduces the demand for potable water, and reduces the quantity of effluent we put back into the environment. Industry will reduce its costs by accessing less expensive water and it will also free-up water to extend services to the impoverished," said Neil Macleod, Head: Water and Sanitation.

Technical Aspect

Veolia has installed a highly specialised water treatment process, specifically tailored to meet the exacting water quality requirements of DWR's main client, Mondi Paper. Mondi Paper uses the recycled water directly for the production of fine paper which is extremely sensitive to process water quality and its impact on water brightness. The recycled water specification includes 22 parameters that are measured in the South African water standard (SABS 241:1999). The production of potable quality recycled water to a guaranteed standard continuously and reliably, from domestic and industrial wastewater, is a showcase for water process technology and process engineering.

WHAT IS A VOLUME BASED SEWAGE DISPOSAL CHARGE?

It is a method of charging for the use of the sewage disposal service which reflects the degree to which a particular customer uses the service. In this respect it is similar to the charges levied for the supply of potable water and for electricity where the usage is metered.

However, it would be unduly expensive and not practical to measure the volume of sewage which leaves an individual premises. Rather the sewage volume can be based on the amount of water provided to the premises.

WHAT IS SEWAGE?

Sewage includes all water which is used by a household and discharged to the sewerage system. It includes water used in toilets, showers, baths, sinks, basins, washing machines, dishwashers and the backwash from swimming pools.

HOW IS THE VOLUME OF SEWAGE DETERMINED FROM MY WATER USAGE?

The volume of sewage discharged to sewer is determined as a fraction (or percentage) of the water usage at a premises.

For an average one or two storey house on a typical plot,  if the water usage is low, the majority of water generally is used for toilet flushing , showers, baths , sinks etc , all of which will discharge to sewer. As the volume of water  usage increases , more and more water is generally used for purposes such as watering gardens , car washing etc and other uses where the resulting “waste water “ is not discharged to the sewerage system.

However, for a unit in a block of flats , the majority of water usage in a flat results in a discharge to sewer.

Similarly the use of water for non-domestic purposes ( ie at commercial and industrial premises ) also generally results in a significant fraction of the water usage being discharged to sewer.

HOW MUCH WILL I PAY IN SEWAGE DISPOSAL CHARGES?

There are separate sets of charges for domestic and non domestic customers. Please refer to the Tariff Schedules here ​

For domestic customers there is a set of charges for customers who receive a "full pressure" water supply and, in order to provide support for poorer families, a separate set of charges, which are at a reduced level, for customers who receive a "semi-pressure" water supply by means of a roof tank.

In addition there will be no monthly fixed charge for domestic customers.

Non domestic customers are not subject to stepped tariffs but are subject to a monthly fixed charge based on the size of the water meter.

WHAT CAN I DO IF I CONSIDER THAT THERE ARE EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES AT MY PREMISES SUCH THAT THE FRACTION OF WATER DISCHARGED TO SEWER, DETERMINED USING THE TABLE OVERLEAF, IS EXCESSIVE?

Where any customer considers the percentage in respect of a particular premises to be excessive the percentage may be reduced to a figure which more realistically reflects the proportion between the likely volume of sewage discharged from the premises and the quantity of water supplied.

An application form which will enable a customer to provide details of the exceptional circumstances which apply to the particular premises is available on the Council's web site or may be obtained on request to 080 131 3013, 083 7073 013 (sms only) or eServices@.durban.gov.za

WHO WILL BE CHARGED?

The volume based sewage disposal charge is payable when a premises is reasonably capable of being connected to the sewerage system, and when that premises receives a supply of water from the Council.

Properties which rely on privately owned septic tanks or conservancy tanks, or are connected to a privately owned "package treatment plant", and do not have access to a municipal sewer, will not be charged a volume based sewage disposal charge but will continue to be responsible for the operation and maintenance of their septic tank, conservancy tank or privately owned treatment plant.

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