The recent load shedding implemented by Eskom has had a severely negative impact on the Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality’s reservoirs, resulting in water interruptions and water shortages in many areas within the DBNLM.
The prevailing drought has resulted in dam levels being too low for water extraction and all towns within the DBNLM jurisdiction are solely reliant on boreholes for water supply to residents.
The municipality has also installed water tanks in strategic areas within the various wards.
Water trucks will refill the water tanks to ensure communities have water during water interruptions and water shortages.
“At this stage no schedule can be provided as to when water trucks will be within specific wards since it takes longer to fill the trucks when reservoir levels decrease,” the Municipality said in a statement.
The municipality is continuing with applications to various government departments to request assistance with addition fleet, so that water can be carted to all areas without any delays.
In an attempt to help save water, a case study is currently underway where 500 conventional toilet cisterns in Aberdeen will be replaced with water wise cisterns which is expected to result in a 20% water saving.
“Thanks to the help of MJM Consulting and GD fittings who have partnered with the municipality, at least 318 water wise toilet cisterns have been installed.”
