Durban – After more than two years of below-average rainfall, water restrictions will be lifted for the eThekwini North Coast, Umgeni Water said on Thursday.
Restrictions would immediately be lifted for Waterloo, Verulam, Ottawa, Umdloti Beach, Sibaya Casino, La Mercy, Westbrook, Canelands, Ndwedwe, King Shaka Airport and Tongaat, spokesperson Shami Harichunder said.
The lifting of individual water restrictors would commence.
There was, at present, enough water to meet the demands of eThekwini Metro, Sembcorp Siza Water and iLembe District Municipality.
In July and August, unseasonal rainfall of about 180mm was recorded at Hazelmere Dam. This resulted in the level of the dam rising steadily to its current 62%.
A risk analysis discounted the possibility of dam failure in the foreseeable future.
Over the past 30 months, persistent below-average rainfall was recorded at Hazelmere Dam and its catchments.
Harichunder said the entire Umgeni Water operational area was caught in a drought that developed into one of the worst in three decades as the El Nino phenomenon tightened its grip.
“This resulted in major dams operated by Umgeni Water remaining at levels lower than they had been at in previous years.”
