Wastefullness increase water shortage problems
Water shortages in the area have been a bone of contention for several years now. In areas outside town, some communities had been protesting about a lack of water, and despite efforts by various stakeholders, it still remains a big problem.
Residents of Numbi Park also experienced regular water shortages, of which the most recent were caused by defective pumps at the Umbhabha Reservoir. According to water and sanitation manager, Mr Japie van Oudtshoorn, they were temporarily fixed, but the matter was still being attended to.
Van Oudtshoorn also reported that the sand filter had been fixed and that the water-treatment plant was now fully operational. He said the water quality should start to improve and would be better after the other sand filter had undergone a chemical treatment next week.
According to him, there were three reservoirs which supplied Numbi Park. These had a combined capacity of 1 700 000 litres, which had to be divided between 250 stands.
This amounted to about 6 800 litres per stand, which, at 2 000 litres per day, should be enough per stand for three days. “But due to wasteful usage like gardens being watered the wrong way or cars being washed, water leakages which aren’t reported or house connections like toilets and leaking taps not being repaired, 2 000 litres is not enough,” the water and sanitation manager said.
He stated he had to handle many issues regarding people who didn’t use water sparingly. “Water runs down the road for many metres at a time because no one notices that the sidewalk plants have been watered sufficiently and switches off the water.”
According to national standards, 6 000 litres of water per month should be supplied to consumers free of charge. This totals about 200 litres per day. Van Oudtshoorn said many consumers didn’t mind paying and therefore didn’t take their fellow residents into consideration.
In the rural areas and villages, only about 60 litres per person per day are being supplied. “This depends on what we have available, but this is what circumstances force us into.”
Van Oudtshoorn had been warning residents to use water sparingly for several months now, as water levels were dropping and there hadn’t been sufficient rainfall to supplement it.
He urged residents to consider water-saving measures as restrictions would be put into effect if this turned out to be a dry year. “Hazyview does not have water-storage capacity and no dams, residents get most of their water from the Sabie River. What will we do if it dries up?” he asked.
To report water or sanitation issues, call the water and sanitation office on 013-750-6021.
