The metro will start with water rationing measures from next week in an effort to save water.
The municipality has no choice but to take this drastic step as voluntary water saving measures by residents have averaged a savings rate of about 3.5 per cent a week, a far cry from the required 15 per cent.
Recent rains have not significantly improved water levels.
The country needs good rainfall for an extended period to come out of the drought of recent years.
Water rationing measures will initially be implemented from 9pm to 5am every day, starting from Monday, November 7.
This means that there will be no water during this period in the affected areas.
If these measures do not achieve the required 15 per cent, the metro will ration water during the day, as well.
The water rationing schedule is available on the metro’s website, www.ekurhuleni.gov.za
Ekurhuleni announced water restrictions in September 2016 and further said it would start levying penalties for excessive water consumption starting from October.
In terms of the restrictions, businesses were required to reduce their water consumption by 15 per cent of their average annual consumption and households not to exceed 25kl consumption per month.
So far, about 3 000 business units and 41 000 households have exceeded their allocated water usage.
Penalties levied during the month of October amount to R1.7-million.
The metro urges residents to continue adhering to water restrictions and to implement water saving measures.
Restrictions include, no watering of gardens during the day, no use of hosepipes, and no filling of swimming pools.
Water saving measures include fixing leaking pipes, taking five-minute showers instead of using a bathtub, using a cup to brush teeth.
More water saving tips can be found on the Ekurhuleni website www.ekurhuleni.gov.za.
Residents are encouraged to report any water leakages or pipe bursts to the call centre on 0860 543 000.
The metro is improving measures to respond timeously to water loss in public areas.
For any enquiries pertaining to water rationing, restrictions and to report individuals who continue to disregard the current interventions, members of the public can email savewater@ekurhuleni.gov.za
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