The far northern region of EThekwini is supplied from Umgeni Water’s Hazelmere water works. Umgeni Water has requested a restriction in the Hazelmere supply area, as the weather forecasts are showing strong prediction of the EI Nino effect occurring towards the end of this year.
This is likely to result in impacts associated with a drought cycle.
El Nino refers to an irregularly occurring and complex series of climatic changes affecting the equatorial Pacific region and beyond every few years.
Water levels in the Hazelmere Dam have been dropping since March this year and have reached a critical level of 51 percent.
To minimise the impact, Umgeni Water has requested level one water restrictions to be applied in the Hazelmere supply zone. Level one restriction means a 10 percent reduction in demand.
The Municipality urges people to reduce their demand by at least 10 percent to recover the water level in the dam and avoid any further restrictions.
The Municipality is also checking for water leaks and burst pipes or water meters to reduce any possible water losses.
Water will be available, however, we urge you to use water very wisely during this period as the supply of water will be limited. It would really assist if we could reduce our demand over the next few months.
Affected areas are:
- Verulam
- Grange
- Redcliffe
- Everest Heights
- Waterloo
- Trenance
- Tongaat
- Westbrook
- La Mercy
- Sea Tides
- Hambanati
- Emona
- Burbreeze
- Umdloti
The water saving tips for residents are as follows:
- Do not water the garden;
- Avoid washing cars if possible or wash using bucket water instead of a hose pipe;
- Do not fill the swimming pools;
- Do not leave the tap running when brushing your teeth or for any other activities;
- A two minute shower is better than bathing in a bath tub;
- Instead of washing clothes everyday with half load, wash every alternate day with a full load;
- When washing vegetables, wash them in a dish, instead of washing vegetables under running water;
- Read your meter on a daily basis to ensure there are no internal leaks in your property;
- If you are going away close the main valve;
- When washing dishes do not use running water, rather fill the basin;
- Report leaks to our call centre;
- Use water sparingly and wisely, do not waste water in any way.
The Municipality urges residents to continue reporting illegal water connections and water leaks to the number 080 13 13 013.
Residents can also use the number 083 707 3013 to sms when reporting water leaks or email Eservices@durban.gov.za.
