According to the DWA about 28 798 households (24%) within the Sisonke DM do not have access to a basic water services and 28 330 (24%) do not have access to basic sanitation services. It is estimated that within the Umzimkhulu LM, 185 households are serviced by approximately 66 schemes, of which 59 are working, affecting mostly rural villages, farm settlements and informal settlements.