Water will be measured to avoid drought
KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Nomusa Dube-Ncube, has urged people to use water sparingly as dams are getting empty.
AS KwaZulu-Natal continues to struggle with prolonged drought (the worst since 1992), the local government will commence with mandatory water conservation measures, starting today (Monday, 22 June).
KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Nomusa Dube-Ncube, said this epic drought experienced by the province at present demands unprecedented action.
“On Monday, 22 June, some municipalities will commence with radical water rationing programmes as part of managing the available water resources.
“Water rationing means that water production will be reduced and, as a result of this water reduction, less water will be supplied to municipalities. This will have a knock-on effect on consumers, who will be given a set of amount of water per day, and once the water quantum allocated to households is consumed, there will be no water available until the following day when a new amount is allocated.
“We face a harrowing future if we do not take extraordinary measures to conserve the remaining water. In some areas we are left with only two months of water supply, and we are just at the beginning of the dry winter season for most parts of our province,” she said.
Dube-Ncube added that they require major changes in policy and consumer behaviour to manage the current water crisis in the province.
She urge residents to take ownership of the water issue, as it will affect everyone.
“We need to change the way we treat water by conserving every drop – the less prudent we are with water, the higher the risk of water shortages we will face. Water is our most important, commonly-shared resource, but the public remains detached from discussions and decisions about water management and use. We have a problem with rain and dams are getting empty.”
Water rationing timetables will be issued on a weekly basis and consumers and municipalities are urged to take note of water allocations available and use water sparingly.
The most affected areas will be Ethekwini Municipality, Ilembe (Stanger, Ballito, Ndwedwe), uThungulu (Richards Bay, uMfolozi) and Mtubatuba.
