Water cuts set to be implemented nightly
City plans on cutting water to 124 reservoirs to allow the reservoirs to fill up for the next day.
THE eThekwini Municipality’s move to cut or limit water to areas supplied by Midmar and Albert Falls Dam on Friday night is set to become a daily occurrence said uMhlanga ward councillor, Heinz de Boer. Yesterday de Boer spoke to the city’s head of Water & Sanitation, Enick Msweli, who said water would be cut from 9pm to 4am every evening to allow the reservoirs to fill up for the next day.
However, confusion still remains as to when the city will carry out it’s planned water cuts.
“The city has 265 reservoirs and it plans on shutting down at least 124 of them, which would be affected every night. We are in dire straits at the moment and we need to do everything we can to conserve water. I’m told the city will start gradually with the plan to cut water before rolling it out. My concern, especially for uMhlanga is that there are two main hospitals who need water 24 hours a day. This planned outage would surely affect them too,” he said .
He added he would seek more clarity on the city’s plans at an Exco meeting on Tuesday.
Durban North councillor, Shaun Ryley, said despite the short notice given by the city, water had to be saved before the reservoirs ran dry.
“We understand there is a dire need for water conservation measures but this lack of consultation is very poor form from the municipality. I urge residents to take the necessary precautions because these cuts will be implemented on a nightly basis,” Ryley said.
- Midmar Dam supplies water to Pinetown, Cato Ridge, KwaXimba, Umbumbulu, Georgedale, Hammarsdale, Shongweni, Salem, Umlazi and parts of Folweni.
- Albert Falls Dam supplies Durban North, Umhlanga, Verulam, KwaMashu, Ntuzuma, Newlands, Westville, Reservoir Hills, KwaDabeka, Clermont, Pinetown, Queensburgh, Chatsworth, Umlazi and parts of Folweni.
