Think out of box on water issues
THANK you to Annette Lovemore for keeping us informed (“Heading to disaster point”, February 28). It appears from the article that it would be in our interest if dam levels drop for us to access funding from the government – no, we need rain now. The government has a role to play, yes. However, let us stop begging and start doing things for ourselves. This city has great potential and money. The city leaks (wastes) money, it leaks money when it fails properly to process/recycle waste, especially in the northern areas and townships, and fails promptly to fix water leaks, etc.
While funding is always welcome in a city with virtually nothing in the coffers, the council needs to come up with plans to fund immediate, medium-term and future costs to mitigate water shortage risk today and in future. Let us focus on the things we can change (have control over).
The councillor must also inform us with regard to implementation of the excellent municipal water plan and unpack all the issues mentioned in the plan – refer to the IDP.
The challenge that this city has is that it lacks vision. Let us not allow our struggling with regard to finances to curb our thinking/dreaming (stop concentrating on ATTP – look at other revenue streams). Nothing is impossible. Among others, we need the following:
Desalination – forget about cost. Water is life.
The small town of Mossel Bay has a plant;
Raise dam walls and build another dam as mentioned in the water plan. Motivate the need to the government;
Drill boreholes and start harvesting rain water. Supply water tanks at a discount – this exercise will also create much-needed jobs;
Remove alien invader plants in the city, especially those next to streams. This is an industry on its own as the wood can be used.
Consult the university with regard to the most effective way of doing it and plant trees like the spekboom in the place of aliens;
Implement (action) all issues raised in the article by Lovemore.
On the positive side, the drought is also creating jobs. Maybe this city needs a successful business person to head the council (not an official), even if for a short period, to end the financial drought.
From my side, I pay my monthly municipal account on time and I pray daily for rain.
Let us hope the dams overflow before we get to 45% of capacity.