WATER users in the City of uMhlathuze can expect severe restrictions, lower water pressure and possible penalties as the drought-driven water crisis takes a firmer grip.
Residential areas already limited in supply between 10pm and 4am may face cut-offs between 9am and 4pm if reservoir levels fall below 25 percent of their capacity.
But residents themselves can assist hugely through prudent use of the precious resource and abiding by instructions such as not using garden hoses.
Addressing a special council meeting on Tuesday, Deputy Municipal Manager: Infrastructure and Technical Services, Tumelo Gopane outlined the City’s water shortage turnaround strategy.
He presented a dire picture of declining lake and reservoir levels, specifically Lake Mzingazi, which is virtually at the point where abstraction must cease as the risk of salt water intrusion is imminent.
Encouraged by industry’s cooperation despite being called on to commit to a 25% reduction in water usage, Gopane said industry would also consider rainwater harvesting, storm water containment and the use of clarified rather than potable water.
Over the medium term, a new Mhlathuze Water pump station to increase the supply to the City from 40ML/day to 60ML/day is expected to be completed by May next year.
Gopane stressed the need to work closer with the water utility and the Department of Water Affairs and admitted the City would have to do a lot more maintenance.
Councillors emphasised the necessity to upgrade the City’s water network.
‘There is water available from Nsese, Phobane Dam (Goedertrouw) and even the Tugela transfer scheme, but getting the water into the municipal system is the problem,’ said Cllr Frik Bosman.
But behind all the planning is the acknowledgement that the City, region and province are at the mercy of the elements, and that heavy rainfalls are ultimately all that will spare the hardships of drought.
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