Set usage limits to save water

We see that yet again Siza Water have a half page advert in your paper updating us on the dire water situation – this we applaud.
However we believe that the only meaningful way to restrict the over use of water is to “quantify” the amount which each household is allowed to use.
For example, 200 litres per day equating to six kilolitres a month, which should be more than adequate if water is recycled, eg collect shower water in buckets, use to flush toilets etc.
If households go above this amount, their water supply has a restriction valve fitted and water is restricted to a trickle. These type of measures were implemented in the Durban area during the last major drought, and they worked.
A statement by Siza Water that there will be a 30% reduction for residential consumers does not help if some households are using 30 kilolitres a month. Likewise threats of fines are not the answer.
Siza Water should have left the restriction at 50%, and not reduced back to 30%. Nothing has changed! We must quantify allowable usage or we will not get through this problem unscathed.

G DUNN
Umhlali