Council agrees on water restrictions
AT THE final Ndlambe council meeting of the year, held at Cannon Rocks last Thursday, an addendum item requested council’s approval of the following water restrictions with immediate effect:
The use of municipal water for watering gardens, grassed areas, flowerbeds, sports fields, bowling greens, golf greens and fairways, croquet lawns, turf wickets and ploughing fields is prohibited. So is the topping up or filling of fountains, ornamental ponds and the like. The filling of swimming and paddling pools, as well as washing of paved areas, walls, roofs, buildings and similar structures, is also prohibited.
Also prohibited is the use of hosepipes, sprinklers, sprinkler and drip systems, automatic swimming pool filters, automatic urinal flushing systems, along with the connection of a hosepipe or any form of irrigation system to a tap supplying water from the municipality’s water supply system, except for purposes permitted in terms of the municipal ruling.
Exemptions to this include the use of reclaimed water or water obtained from sources other than the municipality’s supply system, the watering of gardens and flower beds by use of a handheld container, the use of hoses and sprinkler systems for firefighting, the watering of plants, trees and shrubs in commercial, state and municipal nurseries.
Notice boards must be prominently displayed when water from sources other than the municipality is used for irrigation. Land owners must notify the municipal infrastructure directorate in writing of the existence of any boreholes on their property including the intention to sink new boreholes.
It is noted that the contravention of this prohibition is a criminal offence.
In all the areas the water will be restricted at night, where required, by shutting off supply for certain hours of the night and then turning it on again in the morning. The time will depend on the demand versus the capacity of each area.
Reported in the addendum, municipal manager Rolly Dumezweni gave the current levels of the dams in the area.
The main 1Ml and 1.5Ml reservoirs in Alexandria are 30% and 50% respectively. The main supply is being restricted to KwaNonqubela at 9pm until 5.30am each day. The area is supplied by the Deacon Lane borehole only during this period. The main flow into town is restricted between 9pm and 5.30am each day.
The Cannon Rocks 2Ml reservoir is currently 85% full and the Boknes 450kl reservoir is 80% full. It was further recommended that the flow from the 2Ml reservoir be restricted at night to prevent potential excessive losses that seem to occur during this period.
The Bathurst reservoirs are at 58% and 95%, and the bulk water treatment works has accommodated considerably more treated water.
The Kenton reservoir is at 92% and the elevated tower is at 95%. The Bushman’s reservoir is 90% full.
As for Port Alfred, the Sarel Haywood Dam is at 67%. In Kleinemonde, the main reservoir is at 75%.