The issue of water uses and wastage in the metro has been ongoing for a while. However, with the dam levels improving, locals cannot be blamed for expecting the current restrictions to be eased or lifted.
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality recently encouraged residents to use water sparingly and adopt a water-saving lifestyle.
“In just more than a month, our dam levels have dropped significantly to less than 70 percent and are expected to drop as we are not expecting significant rains anytime soon. We urge consumers to use less than 50 litres per person, per day,” said Mthubanzi Mniki, NMBM spokesperson.
To elaborate, the Department of Water and Sanitation spokesperson, Wisane Mavasa, said that last week’s Algoa Water System storage was at 69.3 percent, compared to 13.4 percent the same time last year. The week prior it was at 70 percent, meaning a 0.7 percent drop.
“There is five percent restriction on domestic and industrial use from the Kouga system and 10 percent on irrigation use. Forty percent restrictions are on domestic and industrial use from the Kromme, and 50 percent restriction is on irrigation use. These restrictions will only be lifted when the system storage has fully recovered, as determined by the systems model at the decision date in November. Residents are encouraged to fix leaks at the household level and report any leaks/pipe bursts to the municipality and use water sparingly,” she said.
Mavasa said that projected storage is expected to drop in the next few months, and will start to increase during the winter rainfall season, until the next decision date on November 1.
For now, residents are encouraged to hang tight, and be responsible with water usage.
