Water restrictions to stick for another two years
Community members are urged to report pipe bursts to curb 28% water wastage.
ZULULANDERS will have to pull out all the stops to comply with the parched region’s water restrictions – and still face severe consequences for at least another two years.
Based on the latest results from an analysis conducted by consultancy Aecom, all users – domestic, industry and agricultural with restrictions of 40%, 15% and 80% respectively – are by no means out of the woods yet for northern KZN to regain water security.
Figures revealed at the Annual Systems Operation Forum in Richards Bay on Tuesday, showed the City of uMhlathuze’s domestic customers finally started obeying the 15 kilolitres a month limit from the beginning of last month.
Aecom consultant Jonathan Schroder stated if this level of compliance persists, the region’s water source Goedertrouw Dam will not run dry before the end of this year as previously predicted.
But if not, and Zululand receives little summer rainfall, the region could yet again find itself on the horizon of crisis and restrictions will be lifted to stage five by next March.
‘Every drop saved this year is extremely valuable,’ said Schroder.
‘The upgrade of the transfer capacity from the Thukela will reduce the risks only from June next year onwards.
‘The region will need good rainfall this coming summer to make a meaningful impact on soaking the soil and replenishing the system.’
Utility Mhlathuze Water stated until the Goedertrouw Dam reaches 60% in capacity, which will take at least another two years with evaporation and seepage taken into account, restrictions will stay firmly in place.
It was recommended the state of the system and overall compliance by all sectors are again reviewed in September to determine the necessity of raising restrictions before next year.
‘We are setting ourselves up for huge problems if we do not revise restrictions at least every three months,’ said community representative Sandy Camminga.
Prominent business leader Frans van der Walt agreed, but emphasised raising restrictions on industry could be detrimental for the local economy.
‘The current level of restrictions is already hampering our economy – industries are battling.
‘We cannot bleed our industry and agriculture to death.’
Reporting water wastage
The City of uMhlathuze revealed that ‘unaccounted for’ water consumption in the area was most recently recorded at a shocking 28%.
This includes water lost in illegal connections, leakages and burst pipes.
‘This is a massive loss that could instead make a significant positive difference,’ said Van der Walt.
‘It has to be monitored.’
Camminga emphasised the utmost importance for community members to start reporting any sightings of water wastage.
The public can report leaks and burst pipes to the municipality on 080 0222827.
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