Department cautious about releasing water from Ntshingwao dam as drought worsens
"We have written to and advised the municipality of the situation and advised them to communicate the matter to the communities and advise residents to use water sparingly."
While the level of the Buffalo River has risen slightly, the water situation in Endumeni is deemed critical with severe water restrictions in place.
Again, it is the higher lying areas of the area that are hardest hit as Umzinyathi District Municipality attempts to save water by lowering the water pressure.
This has upset some residents in areas of Sibongile and Sithembile where residents are forced to collect water from tankers. Other suburbs, like Strathmore Park, only have water for an hour or two a day while the lower parts, such as Mpati, have a constant flow albeit at a lower pressure.
There has been criticism levelled against car washes that are still operating during the drought but the car wash owners the Courier spoke to said they are using recycled water.
During the previous drought, Endumeni’s water supply was augmented by letting water out of the Ntshingwao (Chelmsford) dam that helped boost the Buffalo River from where Endumeni’s water is pumped.
More on the drought:
Drought puts further pressure on water resources
Further water restrictions imposed as drought bites
Drought strengthens – impacting heavily on agriculture
Luis Cunha, managing director of uThukela Water who run the bulk water supply in Endumeni and Newcastle, said currently a maximum of about 12 – 14 megalitres per day can be extracted from the Buffalo River.
“We can’t get any water from the local dams, which are either empty or at minimum levels. We usually augment the river supply with these dam resources.
“The reality is that we are still in a severe drought situation and unless we get good rains the situation will not improve.
“The Ntshingwao dam level currently stands at 69% and the Department, although already releasing additional water to assist with the situation, has to carefully monitor its releases from this dam failing which the whole area will be threatened.
“We have written to and advised the municipality of the situation and advised them to communicate the matter to the communities and advise residents to use water sparingly.”
HAVE YOUR SAY:
Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram or email us at dundee.courier@caxton.co.za. Add us on WhatsApp 071 277 1394.
