Water restrictions in place for Malalane, Hectorspruit, Marloth
Water levels in the Crocodile River are so low that a 20 per cent restriction on water use has been put in place in Malalane, Hectorspruit and Marloth Park.
Residents of Malalane, Hectorspruit and Marloth Park should take note that a 20 per cent water restriction was recently put in place due to the low water levels of the Crocodile River.
Despite a notice sent out by the Nkomazi Local Municipality on Thursday, many people are still unaware that they need to conserve water or face severe water shortages towards the end of winter.
READ: Water Wednesday: Clear Rivers campaign kicks off as Cape Town dam levels increase
The Kwena Dam, which feeds this area, is down to 55, 2 per cent and farmers and other irrigators have been restricted to only 25 per cent of their water allocation.
Due to ecological requirements and an agreement with Mozambique, the Crocodile River’s levels need to remain at a minimum level and restrictions will be put in place to ensure that.
In Malalane, there was a water shortage at the end of May due to problems at the water extraction point and an excavator was deployed to deepen the area.
READ: Malalane water shortages due to burst pipe, low river level
The same happened in Marloth Park last week and, according to municipal spokesman Cyril Ripinga, the town’s water situation is currently the worst.
A water tanker was made available at one point to assist areas in the town with severe water shortages.
Komatipoort is reportedly not affected.
The municipality urged residents to conserve water by:
• scheduling their irrigation for early morning or late evening for three times a week
• using a broom instead of a hose to clean driveways and pavements
• position sprinklers to only water plants, not road and pavement
• check for and repair any water leaks or report them to the municipality on 013-790-0990.
READ: Water shortages loom as Croc River runs low
