The drought crisis in KwaZulu-Natal deepens as the Umvoti river has run dry.
As a result the Imvutshane Dam in Maphumulo, that supplies water to 11 wards in Maphumulo and four wards in Ndwedwe municipality, and the Umvoti Water Works that supplies the northern side of KwaDukuza, are both dangerously low.
This was announced by Ilembe district municipality mayor Welcome Mdabe on Monday afternoon.
From 18 million litres a day, the Umvoti Water Works has dropped to a mere 11 million litres a day. There are over 7000 people depending on the supply of the water works.
Imvutshane Dam has the capacity to produce six million litres a day, but due to the drought it is currently supplying only two million litres.
“We will be sending water tankers, supplied by Sundumbili water works in Mandeni. We hope that there will be enough water to last us until February next year,” said Mdabe.
Mdabe said the affected areas will be receiving water in the mornings and afternoons only.
He said they will be drilling boreholes around KwaDukuza, because the water level underground is high.
“The quality of water might be a challenge therefore we will ensure that the water is tested rigorously,” said Mdabe.
In terms of creating awareness in the deep rural areas, where people do not have much access to print media, televisions or radio, Mdabe said they will be visiting schools, pension points and hold public meetings in order to educate everyone to save water.
Ilembe has set aside R80 million to spend on boreholes, water tankers and infrastructure development and repairs.
