Water restrictions to be lifted for eMdloti

UMGENI Water has announced that water restrictions will be lifted for several areas, including eMdloti. Residents of the seaside village have been subjected to some of the harshest water cuts since the restrictions were put in place. Last week angry residents, tired of being shut off, stopped municipal officials from turning off their reservoir valves.

According to Umgeni Water, unseasonal rainfall consistent with the El Nino effect was recorded at Hazelmere Dam during July and August which amounted to a total of approximately 180 mm. This resulted in the level of the dam rising steadily to its current 62 per cent.

There is, at this stage, adequate water to meet the demands of eThekwini Metro, Sembcorp Siza Water and iLembe District Municipality, at volumes that were provided before the onset of water shortages and implementation water restrictions.

• Restrictions will be immediately lifted in Waterloo, Verulam, Ottawa, eMdloti Beach, Sibaya Casino, La Mercy, Westbrook, Canelands, Ndwedwe, King Shaka Airport and the whole of Tongaat
• Planned interruptions to water supply will cease as of 01 September.
• Removal of individual water restrictors will commence.

Umgeni Water’s Corporate Stakeholder Manager, Shami Harichunder, said following a risk analysis that discounted the possibility of dam failure in the foreseeable future, a decision has now been taken by the Joint Operations Committee that the normal operating rules can be reinstated as a result of the improved situation.

The following will occur with immediate effect:

• All Drought Curtailment Targets will be withdrawn and normal water production will occur at Hazelmere Waterworks
• The plant will revert to supplying volumes of potable water that will meet the full demands of its customers