Evaporation and the increased demand for water during the recent heat wave is impacting heavily on the water supply. The heat wave experienced is expected to intensify and dam levels are set to drop as the country is experiencing its most serve drought since 1992.

2016 is predicted to be one of the hottest and driest years yet, the national Department of Water and Sanitation and others are formulating a long-term strategy to deal with this.

With the above mentioned, water restrictions have been put in place and residents were requested to use water sparingly and the listed restrictions were effective immediately.

No illegal car wash business allowed, and no hose pipes may be used to wash vehicles are some of the rules. Locals are concerned about the amount of water going to waste in Lorne Street, despite the restrictions and drought conditions.

Getting a vehicle washed in Lorne Street has become a routine activity, which residents claim is overlooked. The illegal car wash is operational daily and has left residents questioning, who is supplying the water? Also whether the municipality approves of water running all day from a black hose pipe filling buckets and flowing in the gutters.

“Why is the matter being overlooked and not investigated further?” residents questioned further. Locals fear that they are at the mercy of relying on water tankers and to face further water restrictions due to the incompetence of others.

They have requested that the municipality monitor whether the restrictions are abided by.