eThekwini Municipality is dealing with major water losses, reporting a non-revenue water (NRW) rate of 65% in June 2026. The municipality says the high NRW is linked to ongoing plumbing and leakage problems across the city. In response, eThekwini is trying to address a growing backlog of reported leaks, with the number described as 12,000 across different areas. The situation is also affecting water reliability for residents, with thousands reportedly experiencing difficulty getting dependable water as faults remain unresolved. The municipality’s efforts focus on clearing the leak backlog and managing disputes related to plumbing issues while working to reduce NRW. Overall, the accounts describe a combination of system inefficiencies and operational challenges, leading to significant losses of treated water that is not billed or not reaching customers. The reports present the NRW figure and the scale of the leak backlog as central elements of the current crisis, with the municipality working to restore stability to water supply as maintenance and repairs continue.