EThekwini Moves to Calm Water Quality Fears as Musty Taste Raises Concern

eThekwini Municipality has assured residents that drinking water supplied through the Wiggins Water Treatment Works remains safe for human consumption, despite complaints about an unusual earthy or musty taste and odour in parts of Durban. The municipality said the issue is linked to elevated levels of 2-methylisoborneol, known as MIB, a naturally occurring compound often associated with blue-green algae in surface water systems. While MIB can affect the smell and taste of water, the city stressed that it does not pose a health risk and that the water continues to meet required safety and quality standards. Working with bulk supplier uMngeni-uThukela Water, the municipality has introduced stronger treatment interventions at Inanda Dam and the Wiggins Water Treatment Works, including intensified treatment processes, more frequent filtration, enhanced monitoring and an advanced ozone treatment system introduced in May, which has helped remove at least 50% of the compound when used with powdered activated carbon. The city acknowledged the inconvenience to affected communities across parts of central and southern Durban, but said technical teams are continuously monitoring the situation and working to restore public confidence in the water supply.