Tshwane not out of the water-woods, yet

Tshwane not out of the water-woods, yet

The city of Tshwane has managed to meet the water restriction targets, but Executive Mayor Solly Msimanga has warned residents "we're not out of the woods yet."

Solly Msimanga_jacanews
File photo: Maryke Vermaak

Msimanga briefed members of the media at the Rietvlei Nature Reserve where he commended residents for managing to save 15.8 percent of water usage, slightly more than the required 15 percent. 


Due to the savings, the city has managed to avoid level three restrictions - which include water rationing.


Despite the recent rain, including the downpour recorded in the city this morning, Msimanga warns it's not nearly enough to lift the restrictions. 


"The rains are not falling where they are supposed to be falling, and that is in the Vaal," he says. 


He is, therefore, urging residents to continue to use water sparingly while the city continues to take steps to address reckless usage.



RESTRICTIONS:


- No irrigation of golf courses with municipal waters, boreholes only

- Don't use hosepipes to wash cars or pavements

- Irrigation of gardens not allowed between 6.00am and 6.00pm, and only if necessary

- No filling of swimming pools

- No irrigation of municipal parks and road islands


Three thousand flow restrictors will be installed in areas where there are "notorious water users". 


Msimanga identified Laudium, Centurion, Garsfontein and other suburbs in Pretoria east as the areas that continue to consume a lot of water, despite the restrictions. 


These areas also make up the bulk of the 40 water-related fines. One of the fines was also issued to a contractor who damaged a water pipe and simply left it.


Msimanga described certain contractors as the city's biggest problem. 


"People who are laying optic cables...they go and damage the infrastructure, be it electrical cables, be it water pipes," Msimanga says. 


He adds these contractors will from now on have to pay a R200 000 holding deposit. The money will be used as collateral should they damage anything during projects.


The mayor believes the city will make it out of the water restrictions should all the residents continue to use water sparingly and the city be able to prevent serious incidents.


"We have to ensure that those that can actually harvest water, do so. We encouraging as many people as possible to try and harvest as much water as they possibly can. And to use grey water," he says.


Msimanga is optimistic about the water situation, saying he believes the city is starting to "turn the corner".


Ninety percent of the city's 165 reservoirs have water levels at around 70 percent. Only Atteridgeville (47 percent), Suiderberg (45 percent) and Park More Low (39 percent) are below the 50 percent mark. 


The city says it is attending to these reservoirs.


Msimanga, however, says high lying reservoirs continue to experience some shortages due to the low pressure supplied from Rand Water, although the situation has improved. 


He adds they will be the first to run dry should the restrictions from Rand Water moves beyond 15 percent.



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