DEAR Editor,-
One must ask oneself if there is any point in spending the festive season on the South Coast. Although Ugu is providing ‘brak’ water for domestic use, how do they intend coping with visitors’ needs for potable water for human consumption? Bottled water is expensive. If the South Coast is to retain the ‘confidence’ of its holiday visitors, the single biggest source of the economic well-being of the region, then, well thought-out planning and action is required.
Any failure and this valuable source of revenue will disappear with the morning mist. Once our loyal visitors have found alternative locations it will be very difficult, if not impossible, to lure them back again. Locating static tanks at a few locations is not sufficient. I would, respectfully suggest that council provide roving tankers in towns with published days and time schedules, where one could fill containers (much along the methodology utilised by refuse removal trucks). The thought being, that if you know the date and time, you are able to anticipate the arrival of the water truck and top-up your supply.
If confidence is not maintained and our visitors do not feel appreciated, they will abandon the South Coast, resulting in an economic disaster. A structured ‘we love our visitors’ campaign would also provide a warm feeling.
Thus far we have had to put up with load-shedding, now the threat is water-shedding … visitor-shedding … revenue-shedding … business-shedding … resident-shedding. Will the last person to leave please close the tap?
GENE FIVAZ
Ramsgate
