MEDPOLICYKZN SAnews.gov.za
Water demand management recommended over new treatment plants for eThekwini
Source: SAnews.gov.zaView Original Source
eThekwini Municipality is deprioritizing new water treatment plants in favor of demand management (leak reduction, efficiency) due to cost and speed advantages. This policy shift signals a procurement pivot toward smaller, modular projects for water loss reduction and network optimization, benefiting niche suppliers over large-scale constructors.
Bidders must realign strategies toward demand-side solutions (e.g., leak detection, smart meters) as capital budgets shift away from large-scale infrastructure. Traditional water treatment plant contractors may see fewer tenders.
eThekwini Municipality is prioritizing water demand management (non-revenue water recovery, efficiency) over new treatment plant construction for cost and sustainability reasons.
This policy shift may influence other water-stressed municipalities (e.g., Cape Town, Nelson Mandela Bay) to adopt similar demand-management-first approaches, creating a broader market for efficiency-focused solutions and reducing reliance on mega-infrastructure projects.
Companies specializing in water efficiency, pressure management, pipe rehabilitation, and smart metering should monitor eThekwini and other KZN municipalities for upcoming tenders. Early engagement with UUW and municipal water departments is advised.
Suppliers must ensure solutions comply with municipal water efficiency standards and UUW’s feasibility criteria. Non-compliance could lead to disqualification in demand-management tenders.
Excerpt reproduced for context. Tenders SA analysis is based on this public source. Read the full article at SAnews.gov.za.
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