Water restrictions to increase on North Coast

A DECISION was taken yesterday afternoon by Umgeni Water, the iLembe District Municipality, Sembcorp Siza Water and the Department of Water and Sanitation to increase the water restrictions of 30% to 50%.

The corporate stakeholder manager at Umgeni Water, Shami Harichunder, said the new restrictions would come into effect on Monday and would apply to consumers in Verulam, Waterloo, Sea Tides, Westbrook, Ballito, Ndwedwe, Umhlali and Groutville.

He said the decision was taken because of the deteriorating level of Hazelmere Dam, which was at 25.8%.

Harichunder said this meant that Umgeni Water would be producing 50% less potable water for it customers from Monday.

The rainfall of 28mm, received in the vicinity of Hazelmere Dam over the past five days, had not had a major impact on the dam, he said.

“It has served to stabilise the level of the dam at 25.8% over the past week. The decision to increase restrictions was taken to ensure that the little water in Hazelmere Dam lasts until at least the next rains. Augmentation continues through the transfer of 8 million litres per day of water from uThongathi River into the dam.”

He said experts at the CSIR and the South African Weather Service were predicting good rains in the first quarter of next year.

The water utility appealed to all consumers to adhere to the new restrictions and also asked the holidaymakers who would be arriving in the province to be mindful of the drought and to also use water sparingly.