Residents face stage 3 water restrictions
Due to the low dam levels, the Department of Water and Sanitation may also increase restrictions from 15 per cent to 20 per cent per household.
The Department of Water and Sanitation has implemented stage 3 water restrictions. eThekwini Municipality’s Head of Communications, Tozi Mthethwa, said the Mt Moriah feeder reservoir ran dry after feeding 16 other reservoirs downstream.
A few of these feeder reservoirs, according to the municipality, have since run dry and many residents and businesses across the Pinetown area have been without water for up to six days.
The Department of Water and Sanitation will increase the restrictions from 15 percent to 20 percent due to the low dam levels and the high demand by consumers.
The Stage 3 water cuts will occur daily – for 11 hours between 7pm and 6am.
“This is a step-pumping system and this means that the first line reservoir has to reach a certain level of water before pumps can start pumping to the next one. When this system is affected, it does not only affect the reservoirs but also the reticulation as well,” said Mthethwa.
According to Mthethwa, Pinetown South, which includes, Tshelimnyama, KwaNdengezi, Dassenhoek, Mpola and Savannah Park, is at the end of this system and the KwaNdengezi Reservoir will be the last reservoir to be filled.
Residents will be affected differently, during the interruptions, depending on where they are in relation to their reservoir zone, she said. For example, high level zones (those living next to the reservoir), will be the first to run out of water while people in a low level zones will be the last to run out of water. When water is restored, low level zones will receive water first, and as the systems fill up, the high levels will begin to receive water.
The municipality warned people not to use sprinklers, hosepipes, fill swimming pools or wash vehicles during the drought. Mthethwa said fines would be imposed on those who did not adhere to the restrictions. Highway residents have also been urged to report all leaks, illegal use of water and bursts on the following platforms.
Customer Care line: 080 13 13 013
WhatsApp Fault Report line: 073 148 3477
SMS: 43554
E-mail: Eservices@durban.gov.za
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