Water restrictions may just be a thing of the past, thanks to recent heavy rain falls in Makana.
Water restrictions may just be a thing of the past, thanks to recent heavy rain falls in Makana.
The dams are brimming and residents have been wondering whether water restrictions will still apply.
Makana Technical and Infrastructural Services Director, Dabula Njilo, confirmed that the dams were relatively full and that the municipality may consider lifting the water restrictions.
"We are preparing an item for the next Mayoral Committee meeting scheduled for 16 August and the intention of this item is to recommend to Council that the water restrictions be lifted.”
"But still water is a scarce resource," Njilo said, implying that residents should continue to treat their taps with respect.
Drought history
After several years of severe drought in the Eastern Cape, the Makana Municipality was forced to impose water restrictions, which came into effect on 14 September 2009.
These restrictions prohibited people from, among other things, watering their gardens and washing their cars with a hosepipe.
In addition to the restrictions, properties on or near the catchment system were restricted as to the amount of water they were allowed to extract.
Council imposed the water restrictions when levels dropped to a frightening 40% and lower, in the reservoirs supplying Makana namely;Jamieson, Milner, Howieson's Poort and Settlers' dams.
A fine of R200 was imposed for those who disregarded the restrictions despite many in the community believing this was an ineffective deterrent.
Council efforts
At the opening of Council in March 2010, former Makana Mayor Vumile Lwana pointed out that without enforcement, the municipal bylaws carried little weight.
In the meeting, Lwana announced that dedicated peace officers would be appointed to help implement, among other bylaws, the water restrictions which remained in force, despite the rainfall experienced at that time.
Njilo admitted the restrictions had not been very effective and the lack of enforcement had allowed people to continue to squandering Makana's scarce supply.
