Use water wisely – municipality
The water level of Hazelmere Dam - which supplies some parts of the North - is currently at 30 per cent and is decreasing at a rate of one per cent every four days.
ETHEKWINI Municipality has issued tips on how consumers should save water as it has begun implementing water rationing measures.
KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Nomusa Dube-Ncube, recently announced that local government will commence with mandatory water conservation measures as the province continues to struggle with prolonged drought.
The rationing is implemented to ensure an equitable supply of water during the current drought. Water rationing means that water production will be reduced and less water will be supplied.
Tozi Mthethwa, eThekwini Municipality’s Head of Communications, said the water level of Hazelmere Dam – which supplies some parts of the North – is currently at 30 per cent and is decreasing at a rate of one per cent every four days.
Areas affected by water rationing include Verulam, Waterloo, Sibaya Casino, Ottawa, Ballito, Westbrook, Southridge, Temple Valley, Redcliffe, Canelands, Riyadh, Cornerstone Ridge, Missionlands, Cottonlands, Mount Moreland, La Mercy, Seatides, Westbrook, Oaklands and Parkgate.
“The water supply to the affected areas is isolated on a daily basis for about six hours as the city is being restricted supply from Umgeni Water by 30 per cent with immediate effect. Restriction will progress to 50 per cent in the coming weeks to extend the supply of Hazelmere Dam for as long as possible until the rain comes,” said Mthethwa.
EThekwini Mayor, James Nxumalo, has strongly appealed to residents and businesses in the affected areas to cooperate with the municipality and reduce water consumption.
“Let us all play our part in ensuring that we reduce water consumption to save the remaining water in the Hazelmere system. The reality is that we are facing a serious water shortage and the only alternative is for all of us to conserve water,” he said.
All due care will be taken to ensure that hospitals, fire stations, clinics and the airport are not negatively affected as we implement measures to reduce water usage.
For the upcoming school holidays, the city urges customers to drastically reduce water consumption.
Tip on how to save water:
– Avoid washing cars.
– Avoid filling swimming pools.
– Avoid filling water in the bath – use a shower instead but keep it brief.
– Avoid watering gardens with a hosepipe – use a watering-can.
– Avoid washing paving and roofs.
– Report leaks and bursts to 080 131 3013 or eservices@durban.gov.za as soon as you can.
– Reduce unnecessary flushing of toilets.
