Tighter water restrictions for eThekwini, iLembe next week
The eThekwini and Ilembe Municipalities, as well as Sembcorp Siza Water have announced that the current restrictions on water supply in areas north of Durban will be increased from 30% to 50% from next week.
Umgeni Water's Shami Harichunder says the decision was taken yesterday.
"This decision, as difficult as it is - had to be taken because there is just simply isn't sufficient water available in the Hazelmere Dam to supply the affected areas.
"The only way we can make the amount of water last until then is by reducing demand. The areas that are affected by the restrictions are Verulam, Waterloo, Westbrook, Ballito, Indwedwe, Umhlali and Groutville," he said.
Harichunder says they will be reviewing the decision at the end of the year but they remain in constant communication with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research as well as the South African Weather Service for a forecast of when good rains can be expected.
Predictions are that the province can only expect consistent rainfall around March or April next year - meaning the little potable water currently available in dams must last until then.
(File photo)