Drought conditions and water restrictions are back

The drought situation is back in full force and as a result, rivers are running dry and water levels in dam are going down each day. Although areas around Ladysmith have been receiving rain during the past few months, it has not been enough to get us out of the drought situation.

This situation calls for the strengthening of water restrictions throughout the uThukela District.

Winter is fast approaching and no rain is expected during that season.

This alone will make matters worse, considering the fact that under normal circumstances, rainfall can only be expected around September. It is difficult to conceive that we are going back to bad drought conditions, but this is the reality of the situation.

uThukela District Municipality therefore appeals to the community at large to stop wasting water.

In an effort to manage the situation, the Water & Technical Services Department is continuously pumping water to fill the lower reservoirs at the Ladysmith Water Purification Plant.

Once a day, for a maximum of four hours, water is pumped into the main reservoir in Observation Hill. This means that communities receiving water from the Observation Hill reservoir may not receive water for certain hours a day.

Observation Hill, Hyde Park, Mkhamba Gardens, Modelkloof, Limit Hill, Danskraal Industrial, Ladysmith CBD, parts of Steadville and St Chad’s are currently affected by intermittent water supply.

Consumers are reminded to please use water sparingly and to note that the following water restrictions are in place until further notice:

• No watering  of gardens
• No filling of swimming pools
• No use of sprinkler systems
• No washing of vehicles using hosepipes at home
• No illegal or unmetered car wash businesses allowed
• The water supply will be closed at certain times for both business and domestic consumers.
• uThukela District municipal officials such as Environmental Health Practitioners and Compliance Officers will monitor adherence to the above-mentioned water restrictions by consumers by visiting premises and assessing compliance with the restrictions. Consumers found to be in contravention of the water restrictions will be fined.
• Further transgressions will lead to prosecution. The situation is critical and communities are therefore requested and advised to use water sparingly during this trying period of drought. People are also encouraged to store water in containers once they have water running. This will assist in terms of having enough water in their households in times of unexpected water cuts.
• The public should also note that a Drought Joint Operations Committee (DJOC) involving National Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), five local municipalities and other stakeholders has been established to advise the district municipality on the management and mitigation of the drought situation. This committee meets fortnightly.
• Business consumers, including car wash businesses, are requested to implement innovative water saving measures such as recycling of used water, etc.
• The municipality urges consumers to reduce their water demand so as to sustain a continuous water supply during this drought period. Consumers are further requested to fix water leaks at their premises and report water leaks occurring outside their premises on the call centre number of 08601-04257.
• “Consumers should bear with us as we try our utmost best to manage the situation, say uThukela.
• Any person who contravenes water restrictions will be liable to a fine of R2000 in terms of Section 57 of the Water Services By-laws of uThukela District Municipality.