City water usage shows no change

DESPITE dire drought warnings, there has been no decrease in domestic water consumption in the City of uMhlathuze.

This came to light at a meeting of the Mhlathuze Catchment Management Forum held on Tuesday.

Hosted by the Department of Water & Sanitation (DWS), the meeting expressed concern that households continued to use water as normal.

This was attributed to lack of adequate education, notification and penalty warnings, with the public ‘poorly informed on the serious Level 3 status of the situation’.

Convener Norman Ward, DWS Chief Engineer: Water Use KZN, said it was the function of the local municipality – not the department – to conduct extensive media campaigns.

It was, however, pointed out that ‘domestic’ usage included numerous industries and businesses, including the Port of Richards Bay – those entities supplied through the city’s reticulation system.

Agriculture and industry were praised for significant water use reductions.

Running dry

The meeting was warned that, under present usage and restrictions, with ongoing drought conditions, the Goedertrouw Dam will be empty by June next year.

Ward explained the method of river control, whereby spillage over the Mhlathuze weir has been regulated to a minimum.

Enthusiasm was expressed over Mhlathuze Water’s advanced progress on an additional or bigger pipe to transfer water from the Mhlathuze River to Lake Nsezi. Every effort is being made to fast-track the process, including the EIA.

The meeting heard an address from consultant Jonathan Schroder of AECON, entitled ‘Annual Operating Analysis for the Mhlathuze Water Supply System’.

‘The aim is to develop water supply and drought operating rules, managing resources to obtain maximum supply at minimum cost.

‘It informs on when to introduce restrictions, and on what level, to prevent complete failure of supply.

‘Timing of water restrictions is critical.

‘The sooner we react, the smaller the response needs to be; and it is good to see this region has already been proactive.’

Port reacts

Meanwhile, Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) has responded to allegations of gross water wastage in the port.

‘Firstly, we would like to indicate that TPT takes water conservation very seriously,’ said Mfundo Ndwandwe, TPT Corporate Affairs Manager.

‘As a result, water saving initiatives have been developed and awareness to employees is regularly created.

‘These initiatives primarily include eliminating water leaks on TPT’s water reticulation system to limit excessive washings.

‘A water pre-treatment plant in is place to recycle used water.’

Referring to photos sent to the Zululand Observer, Ndwandwe said, ‘Sprinklers used to lessen dust were undergoing a maintenance test when they were pictured – they are not switched on if there is no stockpile in the area.

‘As part of our housekeeping programme, water tankers are used to mitigate fugitive dust for employees working on the quayside.

‘This is further collected and disposed.

‘There is a maintenance plan in place, which is addressing the current water leakages in the plant.

‘Water saving initiatives have been presented to the local Water Forum,’ said Ndwandwe.