Why you need to boil tap water for the next seven days in eThekwini south

Residents in the south of eThekwini have been advised to boil tap water before drinking for the next seven days.

This is while remedial work is underway and increased water quality monitoring continues.This alert to boil tap water before consumption is only for the next seven days.

In December 2025, residents in Durban south were also issued a similar warning.

The affected areas are: Lewis Drive, Amanzimtoti CBD, Athlone Park, Kingsway Hospital, Almond Road, Winklespruit, Warner Beach, Illovo Glen, Lower Illovo, Doonside, Launceston Road, Panorama Park, and Lovu A, B, and C. 

Additionally, other areas include Bhekulwandle, Msarhweni, KwaMakhutha, Mkhazini, eMasomini, Adams Sheleni Road, Sunnyside Park,  Mkhazini, Lovu Phase 1 and Phase 3, Lovu Landfill, and Inkwali.

In a statement, the municipality requested consumers in the above areas to take precautionary measures when using tap water.

According to the municipality, preliminary laboratory test results indicate that drinking water in the above-mentioned areas meets the South African National Standard (SANS) 241 drinking water quality requirements. 

However, the aesthetics reported by various consumers remain a concern. As a precautionary measure, residents are advised to first boil water for one minute to make it safe for consumption.

The eThekwini Water and Sanitation Unit stated that it will ensure compliance with SANS 241 drinking water quality. Residents are assured that the municipal potable water is monitored regularly and tested in the municipality’s International Standard Organisation 17025-accredited laboratory.

Affected residents will be informed if there are further developments from the laboratory. The municipality gave residents the following advice: 

DO NOT:

• Drink tap water directly. 
• Use ice made recently from tap water. 
• Use tap water to make drinks, juices, or baby formula. 
• Cook with tap water except if food is boiled for at least one minute. 

DO:

• Wash dishes, fruits, and vegetables in boiled water or water that has been disinfected with bleach. 
• Use your home dishwasher only at high temperatures. 
• Brush your teeth with boiled or bottled water. 
• Wash your hands and bathe as usual. 
• Bathing is safe as long as no water is swallowed. 
• Wash laundry as usual. Laundry washed in hot or cold water is safe. 
• Bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute to kill most organisms. 

The municipality recommended that if water cannot be boiled, mix one teaspoon of unscented, ordinary household chlorine bleach into 20 litres of water. Mix the solution thoroughly, cover it, and allow it to stand, lightly covered, for at least two hours before use.

zainul.dawood@inl.co.za