DESPITE heavy rains falling in the south of Zululand this past weekend, the region remains cursed by the year-long dry spell.
Dam levels are still making the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) and local municipalities sweat, as they work to lower water use and implement equipment to cut waste across northern KZN.
The Goedertrouw Dam level increased by only 2% after the downpours, filling it to 39%.
‘The impact so far does not take us out of the woods,’ said DWS Regional Engineer, Norman Ward.
‘If the region does not receive notable rains in summer, it is predicted that the Goedertrouw Dam will be back at 30% by September next year if no interventions take place.’
Since May, Richards Bay, Empangeni and Ngwelezane have been restricted of water use through Pressure Reducing Valves, automatically lowering water pressure in the towns in the evenings.
Water from the eSikhaleni supply has also been restricted by adjusting valves in the evenings.
And for the rural areas of Mtunzini, Mkhwanazi and Port Durnford, valves are closed completely at night.
KwaMbonambi is being supplied by the City of uMhlathuze, giving the town seven hours of water per day.
To put an end to the high levels of water wastage detected north, on route from the Goedertrouw Dam to the local treatment plant, the uThungulu District Municipality has installed valves with leak detection programmes.
uThungulu has also installed smart meters in selected areas to monitor water losses.
More than 20 boreholes have been drilled in the district to alleviate water pressures, but the municipality said it must still address the poor quality of water coming from the wells.
Water levels
• After the rain, Mzingazi Lake is now recorded at 25%, Nsezi Lake at 20% and Lake Cubhu at 50%.
• The Mthonjaneni treatment plant level is at 85%, allowing a maximum of 18 hours of water a day.
• Amatikulu and Msunduzi rivers are both dry.
• eShowe area has only 10 hours of water per day.
• Gingindlovu Dam is flowing at 70% and only providing seven hours of water per day.
