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He said the situation was worse than it was at this time last year as the dams held 53 percent of their capacity, compared to 37 percent this year.
Eng Dube said the three dams were supplying a combined total of about 94 000 cubic metres of water a day and the loss of Lower Ncema would have severe impact.
“When we decommission Ncema, we will lose about 30 000 cubic metres from our daily abstraction, so supply will go down to about 64 000 cubic metres. If Mtshabezi comes on board, then the daily supply will go up to 81 000 cubic metres,” said Eng Dube.
He commended residents for saving water, saying consumption had gone down from 144 000 cubic metres a day to about 98 000, since water shedding started.
Eng Dube said the city’s hopes lay in Mtshabezi Dam or at least two weeks of uninterrupted heavy rains.
“The situation is critical as we may have water once a week. If we decommission Lower Ncema before we get Mtshabezi water, we would have to adjust the shedding schedule. We may have to go without water for three days and have it on every fourth day,” said Eng Dube.
The Town Clerk, Mr Middleton Nyoni, said residents needed to harvest rainwater as much as possible to cushion the effects of water shedding.
“Rain water in the city is not being captured for reticulation in our system. We need to harvest as much water as possible. Residents must get clean containers and collect run off from roofs and gutters and they can use the water to flush toilets and wash dishes,” said Mr Nyoni.
He, however, warned residents against creating breeding grounds for mosquitoes by keeping the water in containers without covers.
Responding to a question by Councillor Nduna Dladla of Ward 11, Mr Nyoni said harvested water should never be for drinking or cooking. The Mtshabezi Dam project, which is viewed as a short term solution to the city’s water problems, has missed countless deadlines over the years.
Residents’ hopes were raised in October when the Ministry of Water Resources Management and Development announced that the pipeline had been completed. However, technicians have reportedly been failing to connect generators meant to power the pumps since then.
The Government is now considering performing traditional rites at the dam site to get things moving.
Online Reporter