Water restrictions in Barberton to be enforced by December 1st
This is in a bid to lighten imbalances in the supply to the various households.
BARBERTON – In a council meeting held in Mbombela on Thursday, it emerged that the recent rainfall had little to no effect on the Barberton water supply.
“The Barberton area has been severely affected, making it impossible to meet the average daily demand of 12 megalitres per day. Due to current drought conditions, the Lomati Dam has drastically dropped to 18,1 per cent,” outlined the council report.
“The department is forced to pump six megalitres per day, which is 50 per cent of the average daily demand. This implies that water supply to council consumers – both domestic and commercial – will be reduced and water restrictions should be applied.”
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As a result, voluntary restrictions are being implemented as a stage-one intervention. The council has also embarked
on a campaign to raise awareness about the severe water shortages through media and posters, but according to the report, budgetary constraints have made it a limited exercise.
As the situation has not improved over the past few months, water restrictions will be introduced to ensure that the available water supply is not strained.
“In Barberton, due to the current restrictions of 50 per cent that are imposed, the council has started to make plans to
place 40 water storage tanks at strategic areas. This is meant for people to fetch water from water storage tanks instead of getting it from the network to put control measures on the available water and closely monitor
supply.”
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This is in a bid to lighten imbalances in the supply to the various households, and is being introduced as a recommendation due to the available water supply only feeding homes in low-lying areas as a result of low pressure difficulties.
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The council provided a number of short-term recommendations to ease the Mbombela municipality’s water woes, which include;
• Refurbish existing non-functional boreholes as an alternative point of water supply and to augment the shortfall. The water yield will determine whether the gap in water supply will be met
• Provide 100 water storage tanks with stands at strategic locations
• Provide additional water tankers for the areas within the jurisdiction to supply water storage tanks to the strategic
water points (in domestic households and close reticulation)
• Appoint a technical team to fix leaks over the area of Umjindi and where the need might arise in the entire municipal area
• Drilling of more boreholes as the need arises
• Put a moratorium on any development in the City areas, especially Barberton, until the situation is under control
• Invite stakeholders such as Barberton Mines and Agnes Mines to assist in the drought relief programme to supply water storage tanks, refurbishing three boreholes and available drinking ground water supply to the communities surrounding Umjindi.
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Over the long to medium term, the council will be conducting extensive assessments of the Lomati Dam, Queens River, streams and tributaries in Barberton to enhance supply from water sources.
Additionally, it plans to increase the water storage capacity for water treatment facilities and reservoirs in all areas.
To curb water wastage, the council plans to introduce punitive measures in the way of surcharges and fines.
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The proposed surcharges are as follows:
Domestic customers
• Up to 12 kilolitres – no surcharge
• 12 to 30 kilolitres – 5 per cent
• 30 to 40 kilolitres – 10 per cent
• 40 to 150 kilolitres – 30 per cent
• Over 150 kilolitres – 35 per cent.
Business, industrial, institutions and government customers:
• Up to 50 kilolitres – 7,5 per cent
• 50 to 100 kilolitres – 10 per cent
• 100 to 300 kilolitres – 15 per cent
• 300 to 5 000 kilolitres – 10 per cent
• Over 5 000 kilolitres – 5 per cent.
Hosepipes or other irrigation fines
Domestic
• First offence – R750
• Second offence – R1 500
• Third offence – R3 000
Business
• First offence – R1 500
• Second offence – R3 000
• Third offence – R6 000.
The Mbombela By-law Enforcement Unit will be tasked with enforcing tariffs to non-compliant customers in the entire municipal area and the fines will be implemented from December 1 for as long as drought conditions persist.
