Shower together; There’s no water left.

Emalahleni Local Municipality has called on residents to save water.
Witbank Dam is currently standing on 60% and the dam level is decreasing at an alarming rate.

To add to this, Steve Tshwete Municipality is running critically short and this will possible necessitate draw downs from our resources to assist them for humanitarian reasons. More pressure came from higher than normal water demands because of the heat wave two weeks ago.

It is against this background that the water restrictions which have been in place since February 26 need to be intensified and will be strictly applied until the situation improves sufficiently.
Several stringent measures to save water had been put in place.

“If a person is found contravening these water restrictions, they will be guilty of an offence in terms of the by-law,” Mr Theo van Vuuren, Municipal Manager warned.

Gardens may only be watered by micro irrigation systems and or hand held house pipes or buckets only after 18:00 till 05:00 on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Public building gardens may only be watered by hand held systems during office hours and at a maximum of two hours per day. This is applicable on all public facilities and government departments.
Sports fields may only be watered for a maximum of two hours per day and then also only between 18:00 and 05:00 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.

Golf courses may continue with normal watering practices on their greens on all days but fairways and tee boxes may only be watered for a maximum of two hours per day on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Nurseries and other activities of a commercial nature requiring water for plants are requested to use water more sparingly and efficiently and no automatic systems may be used unless there is supervision over its application. A register of watering times and supervisor’s signoff must be kept and be ready for inspection.

Except for commercial car washes where dedicated systems are in place, no cars may be washed using hose pipes. All washing must be by hand using buckets. For informal car washes the same applies, no hose pipes are allowed.
Where people are extracting water from bore holes, all water restrictions as specified in other points will still apply.

Van Vuuren said we need to protect our underground water levels as well.
Swimming pools may only be filled or topped up after written permission from the Manager Water Services has been obtained.

Residents are asked not fill their JoJo tanks immediately after water interruptions as that delays the period it takes for water to fill the system.
Water features, unless they are supporting wild life, must be switched off. In cases where wild life like fishes or birds are affected, written permission from the Manager Water Services must be obtained to operate water features. This is applicable whether the feature is on public or private property.
Building contractors must have valid permits in place for any building activity. Building contractors may not leave any running hose pipe unattended at all.

Water may not be used for cleaning pavements, washing down walls or structures.
Residents are also asked to shower instead of taking baths and to do hand washing instead of using washing machines and dish washers.

Be aware of any leaking taps or pipes on your property and to report any leaks you may be noticing on other properties to the municipality.
Try and channel waste water from showers or baths to gardens where possible.

“Residents and businesses failing to comply or adhere to this notice will receive a fine in terms of the National Water Act, 36 of 1998 plus all other costs as determined by the engineer of council or you shall be taken to court for this offence or non-compliance. This fine will be published on the municipal website and at the Municipal Offices in due course,” Van Vuuren said.
“Emalahleni Local Municipality will deploy its municipal law enforcement officers to monitor the compliance very closely. Note that these officials have the right of entry to any property to inspect facilities and compliance, without prior notice. They also will have the right to issue non-compliance notices and fines. In addition to the above the Building Inspectors from the Building Control section have also been tasked to provide further capacity to monitor the situation,” Van Vuuren elaborated.

Repeat offenders will have their water supply interrupted and trickle control installed which will limit supply to a house hold to 200 liters a day. Any one bypassing their meters will be liable for a tampering fine in addition to other measures.

Areas with separate purification plants, such as Ga-Nala, Thubilishle, Rietspruit and farm areas with independent water supply, are also now included in this notice.

To apply for water permits contact the Manager Water Services Mr Sphamandla Mhlongo: 063 280 3061 or sphamhlongo8@gmail.com.

The war on leaks to address leaking pipes is being intensified with provincial assistance.
To report water leaks and problems go to the Facebook page Theo van Vuuren or phone Mr Mhlongo 063 280 3061, Ms Melissa Minnaar: 071 422 1507 or Mr Mauku Malhhuko: 079 654 8518.

To report any illegal activity and non-compliance contact Chief Audit Executive Mr Ndivhuwo Nedzingahe : 084 092 5058 or e-mail: vele.nedz@gmail.com, or the Director Community Services Mr Selati Matlebjoane 082 622 9171. You can also e-mail him: matlebjoanes@emalahleni.gov.za.