Ladysmith residents will again be subjected to water restrictions and water-shedding as the Klip River runs dry…
This is according to a media statement released by uThukela District Municipality, in which they urge Ladysmith residents to use water sparingly.
uThukela communications manager Jabulani Mkhonza says, “The Klip River water level is dropping quickly, day by day, due to no rainfall in the catchment area. Already, it is only possible to pump with one pump from the abstraction point for only a few hours a day.
As the water authority, we will therefore be running short of water and it will not be possible to pump water 24 hours a day to the residential and industrial areas of Ladysmith.”
Consequently, uThukela say they are compelled to reintroduce strict water restrictions with immediate effect to manage water supply.
In addition, a water-shedding schedule will be implemented as from today (August 17), stopping the pump at 8pm from the Golf Course Reservoir up to Observation Hill and surrounding areas to build up water stock levels. The pump will restart again at 5am in order to supply water to both businesses and residential areas. This schedule is set to continue until sufficient rainfall is received in the catchment area of the Klip River.
“The source supplies the Ladysmith Bulk Works with 40% of the daily production and without it, we will be running short of 40% per hour per day,” continued Mkhonza.
The areas that will be affected by water shortages and restrictions will be: Ladysmith town, Steadville, Danskraal, Modelkloof, Mkhamba Gardens, Observation Hill, Acaciavale and Roosboom.
Any person who contravenes the water restrictions will be liable to pay a fine of R2000 in terms of Section 57 of the Water Service bylaws of uThukela District Municipality.
Car washes, the filling up of swimming pools, using sprinkler systems and the watering of gardens will be restricted until further notice. Car wash businesses will be permitted to operate four days a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday). If they are found to be operating on the other days of the week, they will be fined.
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