By: Erik van Dijk
During a recent meeting with the member of the mayoral committee (MMC) for water and sanitation, Clr Tiisetso Nketle, the water limits imposed by the metro were clarified.
Nketle put confusion to rest by stating exactly what Ekurhuleni’s water restrictions entail:
•Households may not exceed 25kl of water consumption per month, per registered water meter. The figure includes the free 6/9kl given to households monthly. This does not apply to businesses.
•Businesses are required to reduce their average water usage, based on the preceding 12 months, by 15 per cent. This does not apply to households.
•No irrigation between 6am and 6pm is allowed. The reason for this is that too much of the water evaporates in the heat of day, before it is absorbed by the soil. Irrigation may only take place between 6pm and 6am, and only using buckets or watering cans.
•No hosepipes are to be used at any times.
•Buckets and watering cans can be used to water gardens between 6pm and 6am. Nketle said buckets are more efficient than hosepipes, as the person watering will use it directly for the plants which need it most, whereas hosepipes continually pump water or spray it too widely for efficient usage.
•Sprinklers are not to be used at any time. They also spray the water too widely, and are inefficient in that regard.
•The metro also prohibits the filling or topping up of swimming pools at any times, but encourages residents to cover their pools in order to minimise evaporation and consequent damage done by a low water level.
•Cars may be washed at all times, though only using buckets.
“We encourage residents to save wherever they can, including using grey water for their gardens, showering instead of bathing, collecting water from the shower in a bucket while waiting for the water to reach the correct temperature, as well as closing taps while brushing teeth, among others,” Nketle said.
She said formal car wash businesses are required to recycle 70 per cent of their water.
“If they achieve this, they may use high-pressure hosepipes (more efficient), but not regular hoses,” said Nketle.
“Informal car washes are required to use only buckets, as they don’t have the facilities to recycle water.”
In August, the Minister of Water Affairs gazetted (officially announced) that metros fed from the Integrated Vaal River System will be required to reduce their water consumption by 15 per cent.
Nketle confirmed this and said it is the prerogative of each individual municipality to decide how the 15 per cent saving will be achieved.
She said the current water limits in Ekurhuleni were voted on and passed in council, on September 29, and became effective the next day.
These decisions do not have to be gazetted by each individual metro.
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