Councillors explain water restrictions
A notice in the Government Gazette of August 12, instructed urban users to reduce their water consumption by 15% and the farmers by 20%
WARD Councillors of Alberton would like to shed some light on the intricacies of the water restrictions announced by Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) and inform residents of what they can do to alleviate the severe drought problem, which could lead to water rationing.
Everyone is aware of the prolonged drought, but they’re not aware of the actual extent of the problem. The Vaal river system is under severe pressure and the Vaal Dam is at 27 per cent full. Should that level drop to 20 per cent, no more water can be extracted and the Metro will have to institute water rationing for everyone. We strongly condemn the fact that water leaks are not repaired promptly and meters are not read regularly.
Residents can send their meter readings to Albfinenq@ekurhuleni.gov.za, if their meters aren’t read regularly.
A notice in the Government Gazette of August 12, instructed urban users to reduce their water consumption by 15 per cent and farmers to do so by 20 per cent. Rand Water has informed the Metro that it can only be supplied with a reduced amount of water per month. It means the City will have to employ measures to share the available water.
Cllr Haipel, who’s on the Water and Energy Oversight, explains: “All irrigation activities between 06:00 and 18:00 are prohibited. Watering using buckets or watering cans can be done between 18:00 and 06:00. No filling of swimming pools from the municipal water supply is permitted. The use of hosepipes and sprinklers for watering, washing of cars or outside areas, is forbidden. A reduction of pressure, especially at night – and a water restriction penalty tariff for those who don’t reduce consumption – will be implemented.”
It’s the sad duty of the Alberton Councillors to inform the community that so far only about five to six per cent of the 15 per cent reduction required, has been achieved. Cllr Marina Van Wyk would like to stress the importance of saving water, in order to prevent water rationing.
The following are the tariffs which will be charged:
- 10 per cent price increase on all consumption above 25 000 litres per month. This includes the six kilolitres (or nine kl to indigents) free water for everyone, as well as the applicable water restriction tariffs on all other user categories who fail to reduce their consumption by 15 per cent.
- Actual cost for households is as follows: zero to six kl is free; seven to15kl: R 13.54 per kl; 16-25kl: R 16.58 per kl; 26-30kl: R 18.15 per kl; 31-45kl: R 22.69 per kl; 46kl or more: R 27.98 per kl.
Nonconformity to the prohibition shall be deemed to be unauthorised water use and a fine of R6753.64 could be imposed. Metro has 52 “water ambassadors” walking the streets and visiting schools to educate the children.
If residents wish to report transgressions the following is required: A photo or video clip with the address of the transgressor, to be sent to savewater@ekurhuleni.gov.za
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