STRICT water restrictions, limiting residents to only 25 kilolitres of water a month, are now in place.
This includes the free 6kl/9kl water provided by the metro.
If household residents exceed this limit, they will have to pay a 10% fine.
MMC for Water, Sanitation and Energy, Tiisetso Nketle, discussed the metro’s official water restrictions at a press club meeting at Emperoros Palace on Friday evening.
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The restrictions were officially approved at the monthly council meeting in Germiston the day before.
Nketle said when the Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS) reached a 60% water level, the Minister of Water and Sanitation was mandated to impose water restrictions.
“These water restrictions may be in place for the next nine years, unless we are blessed with good rainfall,” Nketle said, attempting to keep the faith that the Vaal River, which currently sits at 29.9%, would hopefully fill up soon.
The restrictions will work differently for households and businesses.
Any households, old age homes and hostels that do not comply with the restrictions will be fined 10% on all metered water consumption. Businesses and other industries have to reduce their water consumption by 15%.
Welfare organisations, government schools, public hospitals and churches will be fined 20% if they do not comply.
Businesses and other uses with special tariff agreements/contracts with the council, will be fined 40%.
Residents and businesses must refrain from:
• Irrigation activities (watering of gardens) between 6am and 6pm.
• Filling of swimming pools.
• The use of hosepipes and sprinklers for watering, washing cars and or cleaning outdoor areas.
“We encourage car wash owners to use buckets instead of hosepipes,” Nketle said.
According to the department’s HOD, Kennedy Chihota, Ekurhuleni is Rand Water’s second biggest customer after Joburg, therefore making the city’s compliance with the restrictions that much more crucial.
Chihota has the authority to implement any other measures necessary towards achieving the demand reduction target of 15%.
The report also made a recommendation that the water restrictions be reviewed in May 2017 or earlier, depending on how the case is directed by the Minister of Water and Sanitation and Rand Water.
