A total of R1billion will be spent on current and future growth, while another R1billion will be spent on upgrades. R800 million will be used on rehabilitation of infrastructure.

Umgeni Water board chairperson Andile Mahlalutye revealed this during an annual report presentation in Durban.

"It is a sad reality that while much has been done in eliminating water and sanitation backlogs, significant numbers of people in KwaZulu-Natal and in the operational area of Umgeni Water still do not have an acceptable level of access to safe drinking water," he said.

A 2007 Stats SA survey , which is the most recent survey , shows that up to 61 percent of households in some areas of the province, still receive their water from streams and rivers.