Durban, South Africa

Coastal, ethnically diverse Durban is home to nearly 3.2 million people and characterized by a particularly young population —most of its inhabitants (66%) are under 35 years old (Sutcliffe & Bannister, 2015). The city has a humid subtropical climate, typified by warm, wet summers (October to April) and cool, dry winters (May to September). Due to its reliance on surface water, Durban is highly sensitive to extreme weather events like droughts and a warming climate.

Approximately 60% of Durban households are low income, earning less than R 38,400 (USD 2,616) annually (eThekwini Municipality, 2017). The city offers free essential services, including water and sanitation, to more households than any other South African city (eThekwini Municipality, 2017). eThekwini Water and Sanitation (EWS) presently operates and maintains 4 water treatment works, 27 wastewater treatment plants, and 287 pumping stations. Recently, Durban launched an innovative wastewater treatment plant that eliminates unpleasant odors and has a 50–75% smaller footprint, uses 30% less energy, produces 30% less sludge, and costs 30% less than traditional wastewater treatment (Averda, 2018). The facility is the first of its kind in South Africa and is, essentially, a water reclamation garden.

Durban has perhaps fared better than many other rapidly urbanizing cities worldwide due to the municipality’s adherence to South Africa’s free basic water policy. The municipality provides the first 9,000 liters of water per month to each household in its jurisdiction free of charge and does not levy a charge on sewage and wastewater services. Durban is committed to ensuring free, basic water and sanitation services to all of its residents —including, and perhaps most importantly, its most vulnerable residents.