Water shutdown as drought hits
Tanya Waterworth
WHILE flooding in the Eastern Cape has led
to chaos, severe drought has been declared
in the uMkhanyakude District Municipality of
Zululand.
This will drastically affect residents, and
the tourist industry in Mtubatuba, St Lucia
and Cape Vidal, among others.
Imposed with immediate effect, restrictions
were announced on Friday with water supplies
being shut off between 9pm and 5am. There is
also a complete ban on the use of hosepipes.
According to a joint press statement by
uMkhanyakude District Municipality, Water
and Sanitation Services SA (WSSA) and
Mhlathuze Water, water resources were fast
becoming scarce.
Due to the lack of rain in the region,
Hluhluwe Dam, the Mkhuze River, Phophopho
Lake, Shengeza Lake and Lake Sibhayi are all
very low. A falling water table in the
Hlabisa area has also necessitated
restrictions.
‘The implementation of restrictions is
needed to maintain basic water supplies to
local communities.
Substantial human and material resources
have been deployed in the last week to
secure water from alternative sources
(mainly boreholes) to supplement dwindling
river supplies. This included the use of
excavators to channel the remaining water in
the river in order to maximise quantity.
Spokesperson for the Greater St Lucia
Wetland Park Roland Vorwerk said that
tourism operators had already started
working within the constraints set down by
the water providers.
‘Hluhluwe Dam is very low and the Mkhuze
River is hardly flowing. It is going to be
difficult, but operators are adapting to the
restrictions and have informed their guests
that water is scarce,’ said Vorwerk.
He welcomed the sudden downpour of rain
across Zululand on Wednesday night. ‘With
the ban on hosepipes, the recent rain was
welcome relief, giving respite to many
grounds and gardens,’ he added.
