The good summer rains and an improvement in the water supply situation have led the Umzinyathi District Municipality to reduce the number of water tankers deployed in the area.
Nomonde Nzimakwe, the communications manager at Umzinyathi District Municipality, said during 2014/15 and 2015/16, the municipality’s drought relief programme entailed the rehabilitation and drilling of boreholes which sought to reduce the number of water tankers deployed in the district.
“The completion of the implementation of the said programme and the improvements in summer rains within the district has meant the municipality has reconsidered the continuous utilisation of water tankers,” said Nomonde.
“The municipality is currently implementing cost containment measures as required by Circular 82 from National Treasury due to financial challenges the district municipality is currently facing.”

More on the drought here:

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Water tankers have been reduced from 23 to 10 for the whole district. Eight of these water tankers are owned by the district municipality, the remaining two are from the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs. The timetable and routes for the running of the tankers have been sent to all local municipalities. The tankers are allocated as follows:
Endumeni Local Municipality – two water tankers; uMvoti Local Municipality – two water tankers;
Nquthu Local Municipality – three water tankers;
Msinga Local Municipality – three water tankers.
“Umzinyathi District Municipality is committed to providing safe and easily accessible water for all, and should the community encounter any problems or require more information on any water-related issues, they can contact the municipality on 086 167 8883, after hours on 034 212 2222.
“Dam levels are low and communities are urged to use water sparingly as the drought is not over yet. Water is life! Save water now!”