Residents who own private boreholes have been urged to use water as wisely as those receiving water from the municipality.
According to the ward 20 councillor, Clr Jill Humphreys, it is important that artesian be taken of.
“That may be all we have left and we need to make sure we use it wisely,” she said.
The shortage of water in November 2015 left many Bedfordview residents looking for other options as far as water supply is concerned.
Before drilling a borehole, residents need to apply with the City of Ekurhuleni (COE) and obtain written permission to do so.
“No new borehole shall be drilled within the local authority area without the prior written approval of the Council, which may be granted subject to such conditions as the Council may determine, but subject thereto, in every case that the proposed position of the borehole is clearly indicated on a site plan, any unsuccessful borehole is properly sealed, the geological information and the depth of the borehole is recorded and the discharge capacity of the borehole is determined. The Council may, at the expense of the owner of the premises concerned, install a separate meter to record the consumption of water from a borehole on the premises,” read the bylaw.
Clr Humphreys said although it is fine for residents to have boreholes, it is up to residents themselves to be cautious and contribute positively in the call to protect water, a scarce resource.
She said in the current drought and heatwave, more and more people will use water.
“Be that as it may, we plead with residents to use water sparingly,” said Clr Humphreys.
