Drought crisis

Water cuts and restrictions from this week

THE Bonkolo Dam has sunk to a low of 27 % with the Chris Hani District Municipality (CHDM) announcing water restrictions and water cuts in the Lukhanji area from Monday this week.

CHDM spokesman Thobeka Mqamelo said the supply from the Bonkolo dam was shut off on December 18. Queenstown, Mlungisi, the VAN area and Ezibeleni were now receiving water from the Waterdown Dam only.

“The flow into the plant has been reduced by 112 litres per second. The current supply from Waterdown is 237.8l/second. The plant requires 350l/second to produce sufficient clean water to Queenstown. We have a short fall of 8.9 Meg per day.”

Water restrictions would be in place as long as there was a lack of water unless it rained, “meaning we might even extend the hours if the situation does not improve.” Imposing the water cuts and water restrictions in the evening would mean rationing rather than implementing restrictions. Most water wastage happened during the day. The focus would be on domestic use while industrial zones, central business district and hospitals would not be affected.

The increased water demand due to the hot weather had resulted in water being consumed at an alarming speed with the lack of rainfall a contributory factor. “Our supply pipeline servicing the Queenstown area is under severe strain.”

Temporary water restrictions and cuts are to be implemented with the schedule per area posted in all major buildings across town and locations and on the website: www.chrishanidm.gov.za

Mqamelo said the schedules may also be re-

quested by email: customercare@chrishanidm.gov.za or on the CHDM facebook page www.facebook.com/chrishanidm.

The Rep has posted the schedules on its facebook page, www.facebook.com/The Rep Queenstown.

Mqamelo said the restrictions called for immediate end of watering gardens with hosepipes or a sprinkler system and filling swimming pools. Should the restrictions not be adhered to, the situation would worsen, she warned.

Water saving tips proposed by CHDM are: *Reporting water leaks to 080 010-0100 or on customercare@chrishanidm.gov.za;

*Turning off the tap between washing your face, brushing your teeth or shav- ing;

*Taking a five-minute shower, instead of a bath. If you prefer to bath, don't fill up the tub. Fix a leaking toilet, which can waste up to 100 000 litres of water in a year, and avoid unnecessary flushing.

*Use a bucket rather than a hose to wash your car. If you have to use a hose, use a sprayer that can be turned off.

Mqamelo said

Several residents have commented on The Rep’s facebook page, wanting to know how the Xonxa pipeline was progressing and whether boreholes were not an option. The Rep reported (“Progress on Xonxa Dam moves according to plan” December 18, 2015) that the project was moving ahead smoothly and was expected to be completed by mid-2017.