ETHEKWINI Municipality has taken a proactive stance to educate communities about the severe water crisis and the consequences thereof through community engagements in the north of Durban. Community consultations are conducted in areas affected by water rationing to make them understand the rationale behind the recently-implemented water restrictions.
Waterloo and La Mercy are communities that have already been engaged. In an effort to save more water, the city has installed more than 3 000 water
restrictors in every household affected by water rationing to reduce the water flow rate, which will allow for a 24-hour flow of water on 30 percent reduction in demand.
Every consumer will receive water through a restricted water supply method to ensure balanced water distribution in all areas that are affected by water rationing. Communities are encouraged to conserve water by all means, including installing water-saving products in their homes, such as Leakarletor, which will detect and let the user know when there is a problem, or Evolve showerheads, which will stop water from being wasted while waiting for the shower water to get hot.
Residents are urged to not leave taps open in anticipation of the water supply returning. This will prevent taps from running uncontrolled, thus wasting water in the event where there is no one to attend to it. Mayor James Nxumalo has assured residents that once the water level in Hazelmere Dam has returned to a satisfactory level, meter connections will be returned to full pressure water supply.
