Use water sparingly during the holidays
As at 28 November water resources in these dams were collectively at 50%. To meet the full demands of these municipalities, ie permitting unrestricted water use, water resources must be collectively at least 75%.
THE heavy rains have raised the levels of dams in some areas in KZN, but not Albert Falls Dam and, therefore, water restrictions in Durban and surrounds remain at 15% throughout the holiday season.
The largest dam in Umgeni Water’s operational area, Albert Falls, remains critically low at 20% – a situation similar to 24 years ago when it was also at 20% according to Corporate Stakeholder Manager, Umgeni Water, Shami Harichunder.
“The current level illustrates the impact of scarce good rains in the catchments of Albert Falls.”
ALSO READ: Water restrictions remain until dam levels reach 70 per cent
This is the largest dam in the Mgeni system and it provides a significant amount of Durban’s water needs.
Analysis done by Umgeni Water suggests this dam, which is decreasing at an estimated rate of 1% every fortnight, could reach dead storage by the third quarter of 2018 if above-average rainfall is not received.
“It is against this backdrop that a decision was taken by the multi-stakeholder Mgeni system Joint Operations Committee to obtain approval from the Ministry of Water and Sanitation to extend 15% water restrictions in the Mgeni system for another 12 months,” Harichunder said.
These restrictions will remain during the coming holiday season and an appeal is being made to consumers in Durban, Pietermaritzburg and uMgungundlovu, including visitors to these cities, to be mindful of current restrictions and to use water sparingly.
Water resources of all six of these dams are assessed collectively in order for Umgeni Water to determine whether it is in a position to meet the full demands of eThekwini, Msunduzi and uMgungundlovu.
As at 28 November water resources in these dams were collectively at 50%. To meet the full demands of these municipalities, ie permitting unrestricted water use, water resources must be collectively at least 75%.
Do you want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5409.
You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Highway Mail WhatsApp number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts
