Get some water from Durban

Having attended the recent public meeting hosted by Sembcorp Siza Water and Ilembe district municipality regarding the current drought and subsequent water shortage, one appreciates the dire situation but there are still many questions to be answered.

The Ilembe district municipality mayor claims to have foreseen the approaching water shortages however, except for attending meetings and begging for government funds nothing can be shown.

Trying to build five new raw water storage dams as well as expediting the construction of a massive desalination plant, which eventually could even be build on the South Coast, are for sure long term projects and would not help with our current situation.

A faster and cheaper option would be to implement a raw and/or potable water transfer between the Ethekwini supply area and the Hazelmere dam supply area.

The required quantities are not that high, also remember that the Ethekwini area is much better off regarding raw water supply levels and not suffering any restrictions.

What about Sembcorp Siza Water building their own small desalination plants, these could be build in months and not years and has already been achieved in the Western Cape Province.

Sembcorp Siza Water also needs to spell out clearly how the reductions in water consumption levels are intended and calculated.

At the said meeting a few options were mentioned but nothing definitive has so far been published.

What is/are the basis for the reduction calculations. Is it a three month average consumption before the restrictions applied or is it a straight comparison to the equivalent month a year ago?

Is the recently announced 30% reduction on top of the previous 20% reduction level? How can fines be issued unless there is a clear policy in place and applied?

Lastly, it would be helpful if Sembcorp Siza Water issues weekly updates, in absolute terms by supply areas, of water consumption achieved in comparison to previous weeks and targets set by Umgeni Water.

This surely would be helpful in trying to achieve the required water savings as well as keeping the public informed.

MICHAEL KAISER
Sheffield Beach