The water crisis  deepened this morning with the level of the Buffalo River so low at the Tayside extraction point that the submersible pump can no longer pump water up to the Biggarsberg water treatment works on Mpati hill.

Umzinyathi District Municipality told the Courier that there is no water to pump with only the foot-piece of the pump in the water.

“The pump tripped throughout the night because of this and was turned off to prevent it from burning out.  Residents must please note that the water we are currently restricting is according to circumstances on the ground due to the  water shortage from the Buffalo River  –  and not according to the advertised  time frames.

“Water tankers will be sent out to assist in Endumeni and Nquthu with water deliveries.  We need the full support of the community to use water sparingly as the situation is critical.”

It is understood that an alternative extraction point (on the Buffalo River) is being sought.  However, this could take time and the reservoir level will drop without any pumping being done and the upper parts of Dundee and Glencoe will be left without water.

The level of the Buffalo River has also dropped alarmingly at Vant’s Drift. This means that the pump  that feeds the Nquthu Water Treatment Plant may also have to be switched off to prevent damage to the pump.

Officials are monitoring the situation.

Water is being released from Chelmsford dam to feed the Buffalo River.  However, the river is under strain as local communities and farmers are also drawing from the river before it reaches Tayside.

Last night most parts of upper Dundee and other areas were without water until the early hours of the morning.

Normally, the water pressure is corrected after 4pm.

Farmers have told the Courier that this is the driest they have seen the area ‘ever’.

Rain is only predicted towards the end of the week.