The Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality is calling on its residents to use water wisely and sparingly in order to avoid a possible water crisis.
BCMM Council has approved implementation of water usage restrictions as per the Dam Operating Rules.
This is based on the latest dam figures which reveal that the main dam which supplies East London and Mdantsane, the Briddledrift dam, was recorded to be below 40% in the latest available data.
The latest figure of this dam as at 39.1%. The other dams that supply the City are Nahoon Dam (47%), which supplies East London and Mdantsane and Rooikrantz dam (90%).
Buffalo City's main reserve dam, the Wriggleswade Dam, which is managed by Amatola Water on behalf of the Department of water and Sanitation, is currently sitting at 85 percent.
However, with the main dam now below 40 percent, the City is already sourcing water its reserve, the Wriggleswade Dam.
A drought situation is closely approaching the municipality if the expected rains do not materialise this summer.
To avoid severe stages that might lead to punitive tariffs, the Municipality is calling on residents to adhere to the restriction of water usage as stipulated below:
Garden
Sprinkler and other irrigation systems can be used to water lawns and plants only between 7-10am and between 7-10pm on alternate days.
A hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, a bucket or a watering can and may be used at any time.
At all times gardens and lawns may only be watered without causing pooling or runoff.
Private and Public pools
Existing pools must not be emptied or refilled without written exemption. Any pool not previously filled must not be filled without written exemption.
Previously filled pools may be topped up.
Cars
If not washed at a commercial car wash, any vehicle should be washed on a lawn or other porous surface wherever practicable and then may only be washed, not more than once per week, by using a bucket or watering can; high-pressure low-volume cleaner; or a hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle.
No is no restriction on commercial car wash operations. Boat motors may be flushed or rinsed after use.
Windows and Buildings
These can be washed at any time but only with a bucket and mop, squeegee or brush or with a high-pressure low-volume cleaner.
Otherwise, water must not be used unless necessary as a result of accident, fire, health hazard or other emergencies. Building Gutters may be cleaned at any time.
Construction activities
No potable water may be used for any construction work or maintenance work including jetting of sewer manholes and storm water pipes.
Public standpipe and ablution blocks
Washing and rinsing of clothes under an open public standpipe is prohibited.
Ponds and fountains
Only Fountains and Ponds that recirculate water may be operated and they may be topped up only by using a hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, a bucket or a watering can.
The Municipality is also currently implementing a water conservation and water demand management strategy to address the non-revenue water/ Distribution water losses, which includes the following activities:
-Consumer Awareness Campaigns and Education
-Pipe Replacement Programme
-Water Meter Replacement Programme
-New meter installations on flat rated areas
-Active leakage control (i.e water leak investigations and repairs)
-Repairs of reported municipal water leaks
For more information on Phase 1 restrictions, you can visit their website
