Nelson Mandela Bay has imposed stringent water restrictions as Kouga Dam levels reach 6.87%, prompting fears of a Day Zero.
Towns such as Hankey and Pattensie in the Kouga region that depend on Kouga Dam are now left with only a month’s supply of water. In addition, the Algoa Water Supply System has been decreasing its level week-on- week to 18.2%. The system is serving drought-stricken areas in the province, such as Nelson Mandela Bay and Sarah Baartman Municipalities. The Department of Water and Sanitation is working with the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro Council to address the situation. Concerningly, Nelson Mandela Bay reports that weather predictions indicate no significant rainfalls in the municipality’s catchment areas in the next six months. In an effort the save water, the municipality has just announced that it will erect billboards across the city to inform residents of the water consumption in their Wards, and provide practical advice on how to decrease consumption. These will be updated on a monthly basis.“We want all residents to continue with their water saving efforts, as water saving is a shared responsibility. We want to encourage a culture of working together as a ward and advising each other about water reduction methods. The battle against the drought and the water shortage we can never win by ourselves as a municipality. Community members, right there in the wards where they stay, must also make a difference,” said Cllr Masixole Zinto, Mayoral Committee Member for Infrastructure and Engineering.
