Water sources are fast drying up in the OR Tambo district in the hot weather. Authorities have already introduced water restrictions in some areas.
OR Tambo’s water services director Owen Hlazo yesterday told the Daily Dispatch that the restrictions were in response to significant drops in the levels of some dams.
Worst affected areas include Libode, Ngqeleni, Tsolo, Qumbu, Flagstaff, Lusikisiki and Port St Johns, where all car washes are on hold.
Hlazo said water levels dropped drastically in at least three dams supplying water to villages in Nyandeni local municipality.
Corhana and Mhlanga dams supply water to a host of villages in Libode while Lutsheko Dam supplies some parts of Ngqeleni.
Meanwhile the water in Sidwadweni Dam, which supplies villages in Tsolo as well as the Dr Malizo Mpehle Memorial Hospital, has also dropped to a worrying level.
Cengcani Dam, which supplies water to parts of Qumbu, is also being anxiously watched.
“Instead of a situation where there is a blackout we opted to impose restrictions where people can get water at certain times of the day,” said Hlazo.
The district municipality’s spokesman, Ayongezwa Lungisa, said that the restrictions entailed a cut in water services in affected areas between 10am and 3pm daily.
While OR Tambo was responsible for water provision, the affected dams were managed by the department of water and sanitation.
“The drought was observed from the month of September and communication was effected in October stipulating water restrictions and water conservation awareness to the affected communities,” said Lungisa.
The department could not be reached for comment at the time of writing yesterday.
In an advert in the Dispatch on Monday, district mayor Nomakhosazana Meth said the drought situation in OR Tambo had taken a turn for the worse, prompting the need for water restrictions.
“Our reservoirs and water sources are depleted and boreholes are drying up. This is due to the drought that is being experienced across the country,” she said.
Christina Thaele, a weather forecaster at the South African Weather Service, said there was a 60% chance of showers and thunderstorms for the OR Tambo district today. — sikhon@dispatch.co.za
Water restrictions hit ORT
OR Tambo’s water services director Owen Hlazo yesterday told the Daily Dispatch that the restrictions were in response to significant drops in the levels of some dams.
Worst affected areas include Libode, Ngqeleni, Tsolo, Qumbu, Flagstaff, Lusikisiki and Port St Johns, where all car washes are on hold.
Hlazo said water levels dropped drastically in at least three dams supplying water to villages in Nyandeni local municipality.
Corhana and Mhlanga dams supply water to a host of villages in Libode while Lutsheko Dam supplies some parts of Ngqeleni.
Meanwhile the water in Sidwadweni Dam, which supplies villages in Tsolo as well as the Dr Malizo Mpehle Memorial Hospital, has also dropped to a worrying level.
Cengcani Dam, which supplies water to parts of Qumbu, is also being anxiously watched.
“Instead of a situation where there is a blackout we opted to impose restrictions where people can get water at certain times of the day,” said Hlazo.
The district municipality’s spokesman, Ayongezwa Lungisa, said that the restrictions entailed a cut in water services in affected areas between 10am and 3pm daily.
While OR Tambo was responsible for water provision, the affected dams were managed by the department of water and sanitation.
“The drought was observed from the month of September and communication was effected in October stipulating water restrictions and water conservation awareness to the affected communities,” said Lungisa.
The department could not be reached for comment at the time of writing yesterday.
In an advert in the Dispatch on Monday, district mayor Nomakhosazana Meth said the drought situation in OR Tambo had taken a turn for the worse, prompting the need for water restrictions.
“Our reservoirs and water sources are depleted and boreholes are drying up. This is due to the drought that is being experienced across the country,” she said.
Christina Thaele, a weather forecaster at the South African Weather Service, said there was a 60% chance of showers and thunderstorms for the OR Tambo district today. — sikhon@dispatch.co.za
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