eThekwini Municipality urges residents to save water amid shortages

The eThekwini Municipality has urged Durban residents to use water sparingly as water shortages are being experienced at reservoirs across the city due to a shaft pump failure. File picture

The eThekwini Municipality has urged Durban residents to use water sparingly as water shortages are being experienced at reservoirs across the city due to a shaft pump failure. File picture

Published Nov 17, 2021

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DURBAN – The eThekwini Municipality has urged residents to use water sparingly and has issued tips on saving water following the city’s bulk water provider, Umgeni Water, experiencing a pump failure at one of their key installations.

On Tuesday, The Mercury reported about the water shortages in various areas across Durban due to the shaft pump failure.

Water shortages are being experienced at reservoirs across the municipality, after an emergency shaft pump that conveys raw water from Inanda Dam to the Durban Heights Water Treatment Works failed.

While repairs are being carried out, water shortages have been experienced within the central, southern and northern water systems.

The municipality said programmes have been undertaken in a bid to sustain and ration the supply of water, in the water supply systems, with residents intermittently receiving water supplied by water tankers, in some areas.

The municipality has issued the following key tips and are urging consumers to comply in a bid to save water:

– Do not use hosepipes.

– Ensure that children do not play with the hose and sprinklers and reward them for saving water.

– Do not water plants, fill swimming pools or wash cars during this time.

– Take a shower instead of a bath and limit the time the water is running to two minutes.

– While you wait for the shower water to warm up, collect cold water and use it to flush the toilet.

– Turn off the water while brushing your teeth and shaving.

– Only flush the toilet when necessary.

– If you have rain tanks, use this water wherever possible in the home.

– Designate one glass or bottle for your drinking water a day, so you don’t have to keep washing them.

– Check your home and premises for water leaks and learn how to use your water meter to check for leaks.

– Keep a close eye on your water bill to help spot leaks

– Only use your washing machine and dishwasher for full loads.

– Don’t let the tap run while you wash vegetables.

– If you wash dishes by hand, don’t leave the water running for rinsing.

– Soak pots and pans instead of running the tap while you scrape them.

The municipality emphasised that the implementation of the water saving tips would ensure that there is a sufficient supply of water for all the residents.

They further apologised to consumers for the inconveniences suffered and assured them that the teams are working speedily to repair the failure and to dispatch water tankers.

THE MERCURY