Municipality appeals for wise holiday water use

Reservoirs critically low, so restrictions must be heeded

With high water use expected as holiday makers stream in and residents up their festive activities, the Ndlambe Municipality has called for caution and has emphasised that restrictions on what water should be used for are still firmly in place.

The municipality warned that reservoirs were critically low.

According to the municipality’s water notification the restrictions are as a result of Eskom power outages as well as the drought.

The municipality’s notice said: “Ndlambe Municipal area is experiencing water challenges due to drought and Eskom power outages, consequently the reservoir levels are critically low in all the areas.”

The municipality said restrictions imposed in December 2017 were still in place. The municipal water supply may not be used for watering gardens, lawns, grassed areas, flower beds, sport fields, bowling greens, golf greens and fairways, croquet lawns, turf wickets or ploughing fields.

The restrictions further prohibit topping up or filling fountains and ornamental ponds. Filling swimming and paddling pools are among other restricted activities.

Water restriction have also been applied to washing paved areas, walls, roofs, buildings and similar structures.

The use of hosepipes for any activity is included in the prohibited activities.

The notice of restriction went on to indicate that sprinklers, drip systems, automatic swimming pool filters, and automatic urinal flushing systems are also prohibited from using the municipality’s water supply system.

“The connection of a hosepipe or any form of irrigation system to a tap supplying water from the municipality’s water supply system [is prohibited] unless for the purposes permitted in terms of this notice,” the notice indicated.

According to the notice, the following exemptions apply:

The use of reclaimed water or water obtained from sources other than the municipality’s water supply system.

The use or operation of a hosepipe or sprinkler systems for firefighting.

Watering of plants, trees and shrubs in commercial, state and municipal nurseries.

The prohibitions contained in this notice shall not apply in any case specifically exempted, in writing, by the Director: Infrastructural Development.

More stringent measures may be imposed, depending on the situation.

Residents are urged to adhere to water restrictions to avoid the situation from becoming worse during this time.

Please use water sparingly.