Water has been cut in Glencoe for several days to allow for the installation of bulk water meters.  This is a directive from the Department of Water Affairs nationally as part of the Zero Drop Monitoring programme to assess and clamp down on the huge water losses in the country.

Pradeep Ramlall of Umzinyathi District Municipality apologised to residents, saying that the meters had to be flown in from the UK and that the work took longer than expected and workmen worked up to midnight for the past few days, to modify the valve connections on the new bulk meters.

“Trucks were sent out to residents some of which were of course unhappy that the water was cut while the workmen fitted the new meters.  Sorry for that.  Also, the reservoir drained while the work was done and we managed to pump it to 80% capacity but this was also not enough while the work was continuing.”

The bulk meters monitor the water pumped into the town, the water consumed and the difference reflects ‘non revenue water’ – water lost due to leaks etc.  As much of 25% of the water pumped in(to the town’s water network)  can be lost in this may.

Other losses are due to billing problems, inaccurate domestic meters and poor debt collection.  Water Affairs wants all municipalities to severely trim these losses as the country enters what could be a prolonged drought.

“98% of water in South Africa is already accounted for.  In other words, we cannot suddenly create more from the sky.  We have to conserve what we have – hence the installation of bulk meters.”  A new meter has also been installed at the raw water extraction point at Tayside.

Umzinyathi is to embark on a wide public participation programme to urge the public to save water. “In some instances, some households in Glencoe are using up to 100 000 litres of water a month.  There could be underground or overground leaks.  Glencoe is using 6 million litres a day and this is too much – hence the leaks need to be urgently sorted out.”

Mr Ramlall said the municipality is to embark on a ‘forced leakage system’ where local plumbers will be used to fix leaks at homes at the cost of the district municipality.  “We have to save water – we have no option and we need the public to assist.”

He added that uThukela Water was  paying Water Affairs to release water from Chelmsford dam to feed the Buffalo River from where raw meter is extracted at Tayside. Hence, the improvement in the taste and smell of the water.