HOTELS and accommodation establishments in eMdloti are seeing first hand the impact of water restrictions is having on holiday-makers. While the restrictions have hurt residents, it is now also having an impact on B&Bs in the tourist friendly resort town. Northglen News spoke to two holiday homes situated on Bellamont Road, who have been hardest hit.
They have spoken about the nightmare of seeing tourists leave in their droves because of the water shortages. Dianne Grobler, a bookings clerk at one of the establishment said several unhappy visitors have left eMdloti seeking accomodation in uMhlanga or have cut their holidays short.
“It’s an absolute nightmare. The water cut-off times don’t stick to a schedule. On Tuesday we had no water from 6am to midnight. It’s absolutely terrible and it’s hurting our businesses. I’ve been collecting water in my bathtub to wash dishes and flush the loo,” Grobler said.
Tilly Boxall, who supervises an establishment, also situated on Bellamont Road, echoed Grobler’s sentiments.
“We have four floors at our place and due to the restrictions, the higher you go, the worse it gets. Some residents may not feel the impact of the restrictions, as they are at work throughout the day, but we have been struggling to cope,” she said.
The eThekwini Municipality, in a release last week, said that despite the recent welcomed rain, it was insufficient to end the drought with water levels of dam still critically low.
“As a result, the Department of Water and Sanitation has advised the City to implement water saving measures in all areas supplied by the Umgeni River System which includes all areas within the eThekwini Municipality. Northern areas supplied by Hazelmere Dam are already under severe water restrictions.”
Related Articles:
Water concerns loom over eMdloti’s festive season
