EIB to Fund South African Water Infrastructure

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is to extend a €50m ($66m) loan to fund the upgrading and expansion of water infrastructure in eThekwini municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

The investment will replace 1,600km of old asbestos water mains and construct the 60km western aqueduct and the 57km northern aqueduct, to be implemented in the municipality.

This project will improve efficiency of the water supply system by reducing leakages as well as interconnect networks, enhance service levels, supplement existing water supply and help the municipality better cope with climatic uncertainties.

The loan from EIB comprises 15% of the total investment of the programme.

The eThekwini municipality provides water and sanitation services to nearly four million people in the greater Durban area.