uThukela District Municipality has issued a warning to Ladysmith residents that water restrictions could be imposed if drought-like conditions affecting the Klip River do not ease.

According to Deputy Water Services Manager Glen Singh, the Klip River is abnormally low for this time of year. “Should there be no rainfall to increase the amount of water flowing past the water treatment plant situated along the banks of the Klip River near 5SAI, then water restrictions will be introduced,” warned Mr Singh.

Water flow from Spioenkop Dam is supplied by gravity feed, which is a constant flow and cannot be increased. The town’s water supply is supplemented by pumping water directly from the Klip River. However, when it falls below the required level, this cannot be done, forcing large parts of town to rely on what comes from Spioenkop.

In the past, this problem was addressed by opening the sluice gates of Windsor Dam to increase the water flow level of the Klip River. However, since the drowning of four children at Black Rock in July 1998, Windsor Dam was decommissioned.

Historical Interest

During this process, the sluice gates were welded open and the dam fell into disrepair. Four children – Anisa Patel (20), Asmaah Patel (17), Ebrahim Patel (7) and Mohamed Motala (8) – tragically drowned when the sluice gates at Windsor Dam were opened, causing a flash flood which swept them away while they were picnicking at Black Rock. The six accused (allegedly responsible for opening the sluice gates) could not be charged, as Magistrate Patrick Madida found that the police had bungled the case.