The Durban Metropolitan Area's (DMA) freshwater issues are being managed through national and local policies and Durban Metro Water Services programmes. At a local level, the Durban Metropolitan Environmental Policy Initiative sets out policy statements and implementation strategies for the sustainable use of freshwater resources. This is supported by initiatives by Durban Metro Water Services to plan for Durban's future water needs and manage waste water.

Durban's water supply and demand management plan
Durban Metro Water Services has developed a strategy plan for the DMA's future water needs. A number of initiatives are underway to ensure that the DMA has an adequate water supply to meet future water demands. One of the larger projects planned for the year 2007 is the drawing of approximately 300 megalitres of water a day from the Umlaas Road Reservoir. This will supply the Outer West and Inner West Local Councils. Associated with this proposal is the development of the Jackson Falls Reservoir which will have the capacity to store approximately 200 megalitres of water. Other projects include the construction of the Hammersdale Reservoir, which is currently underway and 3 additional reservoirs in the Inanda area within the next 3-4 years.

In parallel to initiatives to address the water supply issue are efforts to decrease water demand in the Durban Metropolitan Area. Durban Metro Water Services aims to decrease water loss to zero growth for the next four years. Projects are being successfully undertaken in Kwa Mashu and Umlazi to decrease water loss. Problems such as taps left running unnecessarily and leaks are being addressed by installing meters, and putting pipelines under the roads, for easier monitoring access.

Plans are also in place to begin water recycling. Durban Metro Wastewater Management Department have negotiated a private concession to construct a water recycling plant. It is envisaged that the plant will recycle approximately 47 megalitres of water per day. The water, which will be of good quality, will be sold to industries in the Durban South Industrial Basin. The construction phase of the project will begin in the near future and it is expected that the plant will be operational in approximately 14 months.

In addition, the DMA has initiated an innovative pricing policy for water consumption and waste water discharge. The price you pay for water depends on the quantity used - the more you use, the more you pay per kilolitre. This promotes the wise use of the water resource and reduces water wastage.

Liquid waste management
Durban Metro Water manages industrial effluent by permitting and regulatory policies. It also carries out a routine chemical and bacteriological monitoring programme of river water to ensure the operational efficiency of the entire sewerage system. This also includes detecting sewage leakages and identifying pollution 'hotspots' where malpractices by industry occur.

New national legislation
The National Water Act 36 of 1998 provides for the management of water resources in accordance with a wide range of ecological, social and economic factors. It provides for the establishment of catchment management agencies to manage water resources on a regional basis. Local authorities will be represented (either directly or indirectly) on the board of the relevant catchment management agency. This will provide an opportunity for the Durban Metropolitan Council to become actively involved in the management of catchments, both those within the metropolitan area, and more importantly those extending outside the city boundaries upon which the Metro depends for its supply of potable and industrial water.

Durban Metropolitan Environmental Policy Initiative
An Environmental Management Policy has been prepared for the Durban Metropolitan Area. Objective E3 addresses the management of water resources.