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27/01/2005 10:19 AM - (SA) Taps could run dry by June, says expert 28-01-2005
A reliable source, who keeps water storage charts in the Helderberg, has predicted that the city may run out of water by mid-June if the current water consumption patterns continue and no significant rains are recorded in the catchment area. Despite the low levels, the City has decided not to implement the more stringent Level Three restrictions because some water savings have accrued. On Monday, the main holding dam, Thee-waterskloof near Gra-bouw, was only 39,4% full, while the level of the Voëlvlei dam was 33,4%, and Wemmershoek 41%. Just two years ago these levels were 78,7%, 88,1% 66,4% respectively. The Steenbras upper and lower dams, though 70,8% and 62,3% full, are regarded as only a drop in the ocean compared to the size of the other dams. Only about 10% of the City's total water comes from the Steenbras. The filtration plant here is only designed to handle 90 megalitres of water per day while Theewaterskloof?s filter plant at Faure handles five times as much and can even double this capacity. Water Affairs and Forestry Minister, Buyelwa Sonica on Tuesday stated more than 40% of water consumed in South Africa was unaccounted for. This is mainly due to burst pipes and non-metered water usage. In the Western Cape, one of the worst hit areas, plans are being devised to capture water from the Table Mountain aquifer should the situation deteriorate. She said they were also considering the possibility of building desalination plants, but that this was regarded as a very expensive option. The City is, in the meantime going all out to clamp down on water loss and wastage, vigorously repair leaks and pipe bursts and enhance community awareness to save water. In the Helderberg, the new water wardens were ready to take to the streets as from Thursday to visit high water users. Repair teams have also been working around the clock to repair burst pipes and leaks. The DistrictMail has been inundated with complaints about their calls on the 24-hour water service line not being answered. Many residents allege that burst pipes and leaks are not being attended to, despite it being reported more than once to the authorities. A spokesperson of the local water services said on Wednesday that five repair teams were attending to pipe bursts in Macassar, Strand, and three in Somerset West. A complaint about a leak in Irene Street was followed up and identified as a weeping valve on a pipe that had been fixed before. This was deemed a lower priority than a burst pipe and would be attended to as soon as a team was available.
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