EThekwini Municipality has begun implementing water rationing measures to ensure an equitable supply of water during the current drought.
Water rationing means that water production will be reduced and less water will be supplied.
The water level at Hazelmere Dam, which supplies some parts of the North, is currently at 30 percent and is decreasing at a rate of one percent every four days.
Areas affected by water rationing include Verulam, Waterloo,Sibaya Casino, Ottawa, Ballito, Westbrook, Southridge, Temple Valley, Redcliffe, Canelands, Riyadh, Cornerstone Ridge, Missionlands, Cottonlands, Mount Moreland, La Mercy, Seatides, Westbrook, Oaklands and Parkgate.
The water supply to the affected areas is isolated on a daily basis for about six hours as the City is being restricted supply from Umgeni Water by 30% with immediate effect. Restriction will progress to 50% in the coming weeks to extend the supply of Hazelmere Dam for as long as possible until the rain comes.
Mayor James Nxumalo has strongly appealed to residents and businesses in the affected areas to cooperate with the Municipality and reduce water consumption.
“Let’s all play our part in ensuring that we reduce water consumption to save the remaining water in the Hazelmere system. The reality is that we are facing a serious water shortage and the only alternative is for all of us to conserve water”, said Nxumalo.
All due care will be taken to ensure that hospitals, fire stations, clinics and the airport are not negatively affected as we implement measures to reduce water usage.
For the upcoming school holidays, the City urges customers to drastically reduce water consumption.
To save water consumers should:
- Avoid washing cars.
- Avoid filling swimming pools.
- Avoid filling water in the bath tub, use a shower instead but keep it brief.
- Avoid watering gardens with a hose pipe. Use a watering-can.
- Avoid washing paving and roofs.
- Report leaks and bursts to 080 13 13 013 or eservices@durban.gov.za as soon as you can.
- Reduce the unnecessary flushing of toilets.
Water is a precious resource and we all have a responsibility to ensure that we report vandalism of water infrastructure and take ownership of the water supply and abuse in our communities.
You can download the water rationing schedule at the following link: http://www.durban.gov.za/Resource_Centre/Press_Releases/Pages/EThekwini-Begins-Water-Rationing.aspx
