Imaginative new water saving measures brought in as the dry months loom

The late summer rains may have improved the water supply but Endumeni residents are going to have to ‘play ball’ when it comes to saving this precious, scarce commodity.
After two years of water cuts, which only residents in high-lying areas felt, the Umzinyathi District has come up with a way of ensuring that the water that has fallen since January, lasts until the next rainy season.

“We were sick and sat of those living down hill having water all the time during the drought and those living up hill had nothing.”

“People are so used to water cuts that we thought we may as well continue with the programme as we enter the dry winter months,” said Umzinyathi’s Sandile Dawson.
The programme is quite complicated and residents are urged to take special note to ensure that they do not get confused and end up hammering their taps or their neighbours in frustration.
Sandile says that there will be no water in Glencoe on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. “Taps will run dry but please make sure that the taps are closed even if it is a Monday, Wednesday or Friday. Sometimes the water may come back unexpectedly and we have had enough floods because of this. Even the Courier got flooded last year so please be careful.”
Dundee residents will feel the pinch on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. “And this time there will be no water. We were sick and sat of those living down hill having water all the time during the drought and those living up the hill had nothing. This is against the Constitution.”
Sundays will be a day of rest, and no one will have water.

Those with swimming pools are urged to bath in these.

“Make sure your baths and kettles are full at all times. Shower with a neighbour – who knows it could be the start of a lovely relationship.”
Special equipment has been brought in to close the valves to ensure when it is a shut-off it means just that.
“The valves are from China so we are hoping that they will work OK. They should be fine – after all, my brother, Ajay, organised the tender.”
Those with swimming pools are urged to bath in these. It could be a bit chilly on a July morning but it is better than being a stinky fellow.
Sandile said he expected the cuts to last until December. “But who knows? It may just be a lekker thing that we can promote and show the rest of the world that we are indeed a green town and not scared to sacrifice.”
A backlash is expected from residents who say they may end up moving to Dannhauser where licensing a car is a lot easier than in Dundee. “There is also a mall being built there – so what the hell – NDH sounds kinda groovy,” said one resident, Begailure van Deventer.