ETHEKWINI Municipality has refuted ‘incorrect and misleading media reports’ regarding a water cuts schedule, following its announcement on water curtailment taking effect from Thursday, October 10.
eThekwini mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba explained that the water curtailment was not water-shedding where a schedule is developed for water cuts at certain times. “However, the purpose of the water curtailment is to avoid water-shedding by bringing down the total volume used in a controlled manner. There is no water cuts schedule that will be developed for the public. The restrictors that will be installed will control and minimise the flow of water.”
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“To ensure that residents are not adversely affected, the City will be implementing the following interventions: installation of restrictors in water meters to all consumers; pressure reduction; metering all unmetered consumers; improving turnaround time to repair leaks and burst pipes; community education around water conservation; disconnection of illegal connections; and water rationing where demand is too high,” he said.
He added that water tankers would be deployed where there was necessity, in case of prolonged water cuts.
Some of the highlighted contributing factors to the high-water usage include rapid urbanisation, illegal connections, and aging infrastructure which causes water leaks.
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The curtailment will be implemented for a period of 12 months, and the City urges residents to use water sparingly to assist in reducing the high consumption.
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