Dry time at the seaside

13 January 2015 - 02:36 By Nivashni Nair
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Image: Gallo Images/Thinkstock

Neighbours are turning to spying on each other as the fear of taps running dry grows on the KwaZulu-Natal north coast.

Confronted with the possibility of the water supply running out by June, residents have been reporting neighbours who are wasting water and violating restrictions to local authority Sembcorp Siza Water.

Body corporates have issued fines of R3000 to residents who do not abide by the "level three" water restrictions.

Umgeni Water yesterday said the current level of Hazelmere Dam, which supplies Ballito, Verulam, La Mercy, Westbrook, Tongaat, Seatides, Groutville, Ndwedwe and Umhlali, was only 37%.

"This represents a serious situation which is deteriorating as a result of the absence of the expected spring and summer rains," Umgeni Water spokesman Shami Hurichunder said.

Ballito ward councillor Colin Marsh said residents took the restrictions very seriously.

"The residents have accepted that times are tough and the community has stepped up.

"Residents are even reporting their neighbours who are watering their gardens despite being told not to. This is good because we are all affected by this," he said.

Sembcorp patrols the area to ensure that water is not wasted.

"There have been very few fines and some holidaymakers were warned," Marsh said.

Dolphin Coast Ratepayers and Residents Association chairman Louis Luyt jnr said residential body corporates had already issued several fines.

"One body corporate issued a fine of R3000 to one of its members who used a hosepipe to wash out his garage," he said.

Sembcorp spokesman Khosi Mathenjwa said 14 fines had been issued to date.

The level three restrictions include a total ban on the use of hosepipes and on the use of spa hot tubs.

No new swimming pools may be constructed and only recycled water may be used to top up existing pools.

Sembcorp has warned that it might have to cut off the water supply from 9pm to 5am.

"This has not yet happened but it could become a reality very soon as levels drop further," said Luyt.

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