Madam – The ongoing drought continues to bite.
As a result of the persistent drought in many parts of the country the Department of Water and Sanitation is taking strong measures to protect the availability of water for basic needs. Other institutions such as Water Boards and Local Authorities have also had to respond in a similar way.
In KwaZulu-Natal Province, some dams have run dry while others’ levels are falling fast. The situation is serious such that conditions at the Hazelmere Dam have forced eThekwini Metro to impose water restrictions. These restrictions have reduced the amount of water that can be used by the public and the agricultural sector.
Averages of dam levels in KwaZulu-Natal are less than 50 per cent, down by a large margin compared to previous years. Serious shortages are already being experienced by many municipalities and in some cases water is being tankered in.
Many of the rural towns are dependent on ground water and there are clear indications that this source is heavily under stress due to the below average rainfall over an extended period. The high temperatures, low rainfall, and very dry soils mean that our dams are unlikely to fill well during this season. Considering the dry season that will be late autumn and winter, the situation will not get better soon.
The DWS continues to call on all South Africans to use water sparingly and wisely.
Issued by the Department of Water & Sanitation
