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Nelson Mandel Bay executive mayor, Nqaba Bhanga, says he would be writing to the President and the Eastern Cape Premier to query the decision to turn down the Metro's Drought Disaster Declaration.
He made the announcement on Monday as the Metro's four main supply dams slumped to 12% of combined capacity.
Addressing a media briefing, Bhanga said he believed that such a drought declaration would unblock some of the logistical challenges being experienced in mitigating the impact of the drought.
The executive mayor also said that this week he would be visiting some of the Metro’s top 100 water users who he said have all been notified about their water usage and warned to reduce consumption.
Bhanga also said that construction has commenced on the pipeline from Bloemendal, which will direct water to Kwanobuhle in Kariega, which receives its water solely from the Kouga Dam and is one of the areas predicted to run dry in July.
He said the implementation of tariff C charges for water was a necessary measure in the current dire circumstances, adding that both the National Treasury and Department of Water and Sanitation "have repeatedly indicated their concern that these tariffs were not already implemented."
“All users are urged to use water sparingly and reduce consumption. It is up to all of us to beat a dry July,” Bhanga said.
