Dams in KZN dry up

26 August 2015 - 02:45 By Matthew Savides

It will get much worse before it gets better. This is the warning given by KwaZulu-Natal mayors and water board officials as dam levels in the province continue to drop amid a crippling drought.Two dams that supply the village of Nongoma in northern KwaZulu-Natal ran dry this weekIn the Zululand district every dam's level is below 40%.Nongoma mayor Jeremiah Mavundla said yesterday that the Vuna treatment plant and Vokwana Dam had run out of water."We are devastated. They are the biggest dams [in the area] and the only dams that supply Nongoma. We are now using water trucks to bring water from Ulundi and Jozini for our communities," he said.Jozini is 115km from Nongoma."I was hoping that we might get rains in the next two weeks or so, then maybe the situation would be better. But, unfortunately, we are not getting any signs of any rain coming," said Mavundla.In the neighbouring uThungulu district, the situation is not much better. Mayor Thembeka Mchunu said yesterday that many of their dams were also below 40% full. Some had even fallen below 20%."We are very worried. We are spending a lot of money to get water to the community, but we have no choice. Water is something that we cannot ignore and just say that people can live without it. It is essential for every household."We can just hope that rain will come. If it doesn't, then we are going to be in further crisis," Mchunu said.Shami Harichunder, spokesman for Umgeni Water, the largest water board in the province, said there were major concerns about the northern dams that fell under their control.Hazelmere Dam, in particular, was a concern, because it supplied the growing tourist hub of Ballito and northern parts of Durban. The dam is at 31% capacity."Our concern is Hazelmere," said Harichunder."The supply isn't enough to meet the demand. So, 30% water restrictions will continue to be enforced."..

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.