Restrictions imperative to avoiding water crisis in Durban: Umgeni Water
Two thirds of Durban could run out of water - if restrictions are lifted.
This was revealed by officials at the Umgeni Water Treatment Plant - where the utility briefed the media, earlier today.
Umgeni Water's Planning Service's Manager, Kevin Meier, says their three pumping schemes used to mitigate the effects of the drought - have helped replenish Midmar Dam.
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The water level at the dam is currently at 58.38%
But Meier says average rainfall is needed for at least two years to fill up our dams.
"We're in a drought - as in we don't have enough water in our dams.Is it a rainfall drought? Probably not. We're getting above average, or at least average rainfall at the moment. But our dams as you can see - are still critically low," he says.
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Meier says that water levels have continued to drop year-on-year at dams across the province.
"So, if I showed almost two-thirds of Durban is supplied by Albert Falls, what is the level of Albert Falls at the moment - it is 26%. You can see a drop from 38% from the same time last year," he said.