Zululand may face ‘water-shedding’
Drastic action as water preservation is not taken seriously.
THE continuing drought conditions and failure by large sections of the community to take water preservation seriously, is likely to lead to another form of load-shedding – this time drastic water-shedding – right inside our homes.
City Chief Financial Officer Mxolisi Kunene last week warned stakeholders at the Civic Centre Auditorium that desperate measures will be taken, even turning off the taps, to address the region’s water crisis.
‘People are still keeping their pools full, watering their lawns and generally go about liberally with the use of water despite the restrictions,’ said Kunene.
‘This will catch up with them when the municipality decides to altogether cut off water in phases.
‘Obviously, we do not want to get to that stage, so we urge residents to immediately start cooperating by curbing their water consumption.
‘Do not use water unless you really need to,’ Kunene emphasised.
uMhlathuze is reportedly experiencing the lowest rainfall figures since 1934.
Richards Bay’s main fresh water source, Lake Mzingazi, has dried up to the point where the municipality has had to stop extracting water from it earlier this year.
Lake Cubhu at eSikhaleni is now also running empty.
The borough has been purchasing in bulk from local water utility Mhlathuze Water, which has resulted in the city’s budget exceeding its quota by more than 60%.
Kunene said water tariffs will therefore be increased by 40% this year.
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