The seventh borehole which produces a yield of 14 000 litres per hour, was opened last week by the Gift of the Givers, as part of its efforts to get 30 boreholes in place to ensure that key community institutions have access to water and to avert a humanitarian crisis.
“Gift of the Givers thanks the city and its citizens for their incredible co-operation, support, standing together and holding hands in a spirit of nationwide building. There is no place for politics or ego, we are in a state of disaster and where co-operation, humanity, compassion, and unconditional service in the interest of all our citizens exists,” said Gift of the Givers Founder Dr Imtiaz Sooliman.
This borehole, located at the Elizabeth Donkin Psychiatric Hospital in Forest Hill, will provide much-needed relief to local communities but more importantly, this provides critical water access to local clinics, police stations, schools, and hospitals.
“The borehole is at a very strategic site in the red zone, on a very good geological rock formation and close to the airport. Dealing with the challenges of water shedding and shutdown in Nelson Mandela Bay Metro and Kouga Municipality, which have also requested assistance from the foundation, can only be done with total co-operation from the entire region,” said Dr Sooliman.
Every litre saved today means water for tomorrow
“Leak repairs in the community and at schools by business are gaining traction, total co-operation and easy access is requested. Community members must look out for leaks in their toilet cisterns, taps and in the home environment and repair immediately as every litre saved today means water for tomorrow in a region where minimal rain is predicted into September.”
Water augmentation will continue with a generous donation of 500 000 litres per day from the desalination plant at Cerebos to Gift of the Givers. Coca Cola has given three 35 000L tankers for the process.
“We will appreciate communities pointing out springs where there is water run-off of thousands of litres per day. We will also appreciate notification of disused boreholes at institutions or communities and will assess viability,” said Dr Sooliman.
Chamber chief executive Denise van Huyssteen says the official opening of the borehole was testament to what can be achieved through strong collaboration.
“As a business community we have forged a strong partnership with Gift of the Givers to ensure that our efforts are complementary and result in targeted actions, which put the best interests of the people of Nelson Mandela Bay first.
“We are immensely grateful to Gift of the Givers for the way they have responded to the water crisis. They have moved with urgency and purpose to get emergency measures in place.”
She says the Chamber’s key water crisis interventions – “Adopt A School,” “Adopt A Leak”, and various humanitarian initiatives – provide a platform for businesses to help mitigate the risks associated with the water crisis and are being implemented in partnership with Gift of the Givers. These initiatives are driven to reduce the extent of water losses, while at the same time ensuring that communities have access to water.
Water consumption still way above limit
“It is critical for all stakeholders in the Metro such as residents and businesses to pull together to reduce the severity of the water crisis. In tandem with the focus on reducing water losses, consumption levels also need to be addressed.
“Our water consumption is way above the targeted limit and as such, consumers must immediately reduce their consumption levels. In tandem with this, they must also implement water saving solutions such as rainwater tanks and identify water leaks in their premises and report them immediately for remedial action,” says Huyssteen.
More business expertise needed
Businesses willing to volunteer expertise and resources, or contribute to the Water Crisis Fund, can contact the Business Chamber on 041 373 1122 or email taskteams@nmbbusinesschamber.co.za.
