Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality said the current water restrictions remain in place, as the recent good rains, with falls exceeding 40 mm in the Metro's catchment areas, had very little impact on the dam levels.
It said in a statement on Sunday that the soil in the catchment areas is simply so parched that rainfall is soaking in, rather than running off to the rivers and dams.
The average dam levels only increased by approximately 1% from 28.6% on 13 November to 29.83 % of capacity on 1 December.
The Municipality said the current levels were at its lowest in almost thirty years.
In 2011, dam levels reached a minimum of 30.11% before a flood broke the drought. The current levels are the lowest in almost thirty years, with the 1990 levels having reached 15.5% of the available capacity.
“We expect major rains in October 2018 (according to the South African Weather Services). At the current level of usage, our water supply will last until August 2018,” said Councillor Anette Lovemore, Mayoral Committee member for Infrastructure, Engineering, Electricity and Energy
“That leaves us with a shortfall of two months during which time our only source of water will be the Nooitgedagt scheme. This scheme provides about half of the water we currently use.”
“Having only this source is not a feasible option. We are all obliged to do everything that we can to use less, in order that the supply from our dams can last as long as we need it to,” said Lovemore.
She said it was important for the Municipality to remind residents of the restriction measures currently in place.
“We know that, at this time of the year, the general public prepares for the festive season and much cleaning and painting takes place. In addition, we are moving towards our warmest season. The Weather Services predicts hotter than average temperatures, and it is natural, then, that water usage might increase. We can’t afford this,” said Lovemore.
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality said that the following restrictions are currently in place, will remain place, and are enforceable in terms of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality: Water & Sanitation Services By-Law (Provincial Gazette no 2361 dated 14 May 2010) :
No use of hosepipes is allowed (to water gardens, wash cars, hose down walls or paving, top up pools, fountains or ponds, etc.), unless:
The water is from a source other than municipal; or
The water is used for fire-fighting purposes.
No use of municipal water supply is allowed for watering plants, unless:
The water is carried in a handheld container, or
The water is from a source other than municipal;
The water is used at a commercial or state nursery (where watering must take place using handheld containers if municipal water is used).
No use of sprinklers or irrigation systems allowed, unless:
The water is from a source other than municipal.
All building contractors must use treated effluent, collected from Fishwater Flats (or any other appropriate wastewater treatment works), other than for concrete work.
All borehole users must register with the municipality, and abide by the legislative conditions applicable to the use of borehole water.
No use of automatic urinal flushing systems is allowed.
Residential and institutional users are subject to Part C of the Schedule of Tariffs.
Commercial and Industrial users are subject to Part B of the Schedule of Tariffs.
