The Endumeni area sweltered over the Christmas week with temperatures touching 38 degrees on the 25th and 26th of December. With the December rains seemingly flattering to deceive, the water level of the Buffalo River, from where Endumeni draws its water, has dropped dramatically over the past weeks.
Nomonde Nzimakwe, the spokesperson for Umzinyathi District Municipality, said there was no option but to impose further water restrictions on households.
Water pressure will now be limited from 9pm to 4am daily and from 10am to 2pm.
“The Buffalo River is drying up very quickly, and we will be short of raw water supply soon. Unfortunately, this means we will have restricted portable supply volumes. This will affect Dundee and Nquthu communities. We are urging all consumers to use water sparingly, and to please report all leaks,” she told the Courier.
The lowering of the water pressure will mainly affect the higher lying areas, Berea area and beyond, including parts of Sibongile and the high lying areas of Glencoe. The lower lying areas will not be affected as much as the natural gradient of the water pipeline will allow the water to continue flowing – albeit at a lower pressure.

“Ward 3, 5 and 7 – Lindelani / Sibongile Location, Marikana / Sithembileand some parts of Glencoe town, and have been severely affected and are already running dry, as a result JoJo tanks will be placed in strategic spots in these wards as from today so that water tankers can cover these places on a daily basis.  As an emergency contingency plan, water tankers are available every afternoon in these three  wards to assist until the tanks have been put in place.”

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