Tshwane tightens belt on city's water usage

The City of Tshwane has given assurances that it will 'practice what it preaches' when it comes to adhering to water restrictions.

Tshwane was the first major metropolitan to implement water restrictions in late October, but residents expressed anger over the Fountains Circle still being active almost three weeks later.

"That is one thing that does not sit well with us, and we have raised this matter with the parks department's people," said Tshwane spokesperson Selby Bokaba.

He assured residents are going to see changes and that the city would undertake to restrict its water usage.

Residents have been urged to use water sparingly and could be fined up to R 1000 if they do not adhere to the restrictions.

Various other municipalities, including Johannesburg, have now also implemented water restrictions as the drought conditions persist.

Proactive decision

Bokaba said Tshwane is currently not facing a water crisis because it implemented restrictions earlier than other municipalities.

"Management at water and sanitation division had the foresight of implementing the water restrictions," he said.

It is for this very reason that Tshwane is not facing the same challenges that other metro's are facing, Bokaba explained.

The water restrictions stipulate that residents should not water their gardens between 06:00 and 18:00, wash their cars with hosepipes and refrain from filling their pools.

Bokaba said the city is currently in a comfortable condition as opposed to other areas, but warned that "we are not out of the woods yet."

He thanked residents for their cooperation and urged members of the community to report any transgressions.

(File photo: Gallo Images)